Safety measures must be stepped up outside a primary school after a pupil was hit by a car, parents have demanded.

A four-year-old child from reception was hit crossing the road outside Berkeley Primary School, in Cranford Lane, Heston, last Thursday (May 15).

He was taken to hospital as a precaution but is understood to have suffered only a bump to his head and leg, and some minor bruising, and has since returned to school.

However, the school's headteacher Kevin Prunty said the boy's injuries could have been much more serious and action was needed to improve road safety at the site.

More than 300 parents have now responded to a school consultation about road safety, calling in particular for cover to be provided when the lollipop lady is off work, as was the case last week.

They have also demanded a marked road crossing outside the school, zigzag lines to prevent people parking there and more regular parking enforcement at the site, among other improvements.

Mr Prunty said: "This was, of course, a scary incident for all and is an important reminder of the issues about road safety outside the school which the school and parents will continue to pursue with the council using this scary incident as a warning of the dangers of a serious accident or worse unless more is done to promote safety on the busy road outside the school," he said.

"In particular, we want to know what the council can do to ensure that a school crossing patrol is present every day, even when the regular person is off work since the risk is ever present."

Mr Prunty added that the responses to the consultation would be sent to all council candidates in the local wards and to cabinet members and officers within Hounslow Council, as well as to London mayor Boris Johnson.

A council spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with the child and his family and we are pleased to hear that he is recovering well. Road safety is paramount – especially around schools - and we are meeting with the school to discuss further road calming measures in addition to the existing 20 mph zone and 'wig-wag' warning signs, which are already in place.

"We're also looking at how we can improve cover arrangements for school crossing patrol staff when they are unable to carry out their role."