A WOMAN and her two young children narrowly escaped with their lives after they were almost hit by a car as it careered onto the pavement along a notoriously busy road.

Kirsty Christmas was walking on Main Street, Pool-in-Wharfedale, when a car mounted the pavement after braking hard to avoid the car in front.

Mrs Christmas was taking her two-year-old son John to Pool pre-school at 8.45am and was pushing her youngest son, William, nine months, in his pushchair.

The car mounted the pavement and landed only a few yards from Mrs Christmas and her two children.

There were also three people waiting at the bus stop who were narrowly missed.

Mrs Christmas said it was a miracle someone was not hit.

"It was really terrifying and has made me nervous about walking along that road, but there isn't another way to go.

"I know there is a big problem with traffic in Pool and the lollipop man has a hard time, but cars just go so fast.

"It's such a scary thought that this could happen when there are young children around, because the village is just so busy on a morning."

Mrs Christmas, who lives with husband Martin in Wharfe View, said that she had often seen near misses.

He claims have the backing of lollipop man William Shears, who, as previously reported, has been campaigning for a pelican crossing on the road after witnessing a number of near-misses over the years.

"I can't believe what a near miss it was, and that the car was actually on the pavement.

"They were going too fast, and when they came to the stationary traffic, they couldn't stop, so ended up on the pavement.

"There were people at the bus stop and the lady with her children, and it's a ridiculous situation now - it won't be long before there is a tragedy in the village."

Mrs Christmas added: "It's nerve-wracking trying to cross the road, and I know Mr Shears finds it hard.

"Sometimes cars will stop one way on the zebra crossing, but not the other, and you can be waiting for ages.

"And there are a lot of big lorries that come through the village too.

"Lorries don't tend to speed through the village, but they are so big and the pavements are very narrow, it's difficult for parents and children."

A meeting is due to take place on Monday, February 4 at 8.15am at the zebra crossing on Main Street.

MP Harold Best will attend, along with representatives from the Highways Agency, and lollipop man William Shears.

The issue of updating the zebra crossing to a pelican crossing will be discussed, as well as other calming measures in the village.