A parent created his own zebra crossing out of balloons and drain pipes to highlight the need for improved safety outside his son’s school despite the risk of prosecution.

Yannick Read, 41, laid out the makeshift crossing outside Alexandra Infant School in Kingston after becoming concerned for the safety of his five-year-old son Bertie.

But signs on the public highway that do not have the approval of the Highway Authority are illegal.

Mr Read, who lives in Clifton Road, with wife Eleanor, Noah, 8, Bertie, and Olive, 3, came up with the idea during his day job for the Environmental Transport Association, a campaign group in Weybridge.

The walkway is made up of recycled lino, drainpipes and orange balloons and can be set up in less than a minute.

He said: “It is remarkable how effective it is. Drivers are so used to seeing the beacons and the markings on the road, they respect it.

“The reaction from drivers has been very positive. People walking past who see it recognise there is a need for one.”

He said a crossing was needed in Alexandra Road, which is already a 20mph zone, for children heading to school.

The council say the crossing would cost £14,000, compared to the cost Mr Read's £50 homemade effort.

He said: “Although this is a kind of stunt there’s a very serious issue behind it. It is very chaotic and busy at pick-up and drop-off time.

“We have had a child knocked over by a car on that particular road. At Latimer School, a child was killed after being hit by a car.

“I hope the council sit up and take notice.”

Kingston Council confirmed it had received a request for a zebra crossing near Alexandra Infant School in the past few weeks but said that the use of pop-up crossings could be illegal.

A spokeswoman said: “The safety of people using our highways is always a priority for the council.

"The Highway Authority has sole statutory empowerment to place or enforce anything on our roads and this ensures the safe use of our highways for motorists and pedestrians."

But asked if he was worried about the risk of prosecution Mr Read said: "No not really. We have done it very carefully and in a controlled way. It's more important to highlight the issue."

Kingston councillor Andrea Craig said: “I think it is a very interesting concept. We have to be careful because we don’t want people creating things when they like, but I think it is a fantastic innovation and I commend him for it.”