Harold Wood parents, devastated by the death of local schoolgirl Kari East, are demanding a pelican crossing near the site where she died last month.

Pediatric nurse Sharon Moull and parents Tracey Andrews and Nicola Mason, presented a 200-signature petition to the Harold Wood Community Area Forum on Monday.

They have already won written support from Prime Minister Tony Blair, and local MPs and councillors.

Sharon said: "Most importantly we have had written support for the crossing from every resident in Shepherds Hill and Squirrels Heath Road."

Sharon's 16-year-old daughter Victoria was involved in a road accident in the same road four years ago.

She started a campaign for a crossing which took her to the House of Commons but it stayed "on the back burner" with Havering Council.

After Kari died, Sharon said that the strength of feeling in Harold Wood pushed her to start the ball rolling again.

She said: "We are campaigning for a crossing for the benefit of everyone.

"Out of sensitivity to the East family we want to conduct this campaign quietly, democratically and correctly.

"We could all go and protest in the street where Kari was killed. All that would do is devastate her family even further."

The group has written to every local councillor, several national road safety groups, local schools and the chief executive of Havering council, Harold Tinworth. Sharon says this is the first stage and if necessary the gloves will come off.

She said: "We will not give up, this is not a campaign run by emotional housewives it is a campaign for a crossing that will serve the whole community and more importantly it will save lives."

A council spokesman said: "A specific investigation into the need for a pelican crossing at this location would need to be considered with regard to other traffic management scheme priorities agreed by the forum in November 1998."

Shepherds Hill had already been prioritised as a traffic hotspot and investigation reports about installing speed cameras are due to be presented to the next meeting of highways panel.

Parents' campaign: Harold Wood parents Sharon Moull, Nicola Mason and Tracey Adams present their campaign for a pelican crossing to forum chairman Cllr Peter Gardner.

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