A TOAD patrol group carried more than 1,000 of the amphibians across a country road this spring.
The Little Leighs Toad Patrol boasts as many as 25 members and leader David Scott believes 50 per cent of the creatures would be squashed by cars if it were not for the group's work.
The 75-year-old wildlife expert says local children love getting involved.
"It can be chaotic when there are big numbers but when the cars see the signs and us in our yellow jackets it warns them what is happening," said the Essex Reptiles and Amphibian Club member.
The group ferried 1,084 toads across a 200-metre stretch on Church Lane to help them cross from the shrubbery to the nearby lake for mating season.
The patrol group, which was out for two hours every night from April 11 to April 18, was started by one of the resident's grandchildren about ten years ago.
Grandmother-of-nine Jean Sly, 70, of Church Lane, said: "They were horrified when they saw the toads squashed.
"So they made posters saying 'please don't squish us' which they put on posts either end of the road.
"It's hard to see them squished and the common toad, like many species, is not so common any more.
"I believe one year we carried more than 2,000 toads."
Jean is nagged at church by children – otherwise known as "picker-uppers" – to join in the patrol.
Three of her young grandchildren from Manchester deliberately time their visits in the spring to coincide with mating season.
Last week the Chronicle reported that about 50 toads had been killed on Moulsham Hall Lane in nearby Great Leighs during mating season, fuelling calls for warning signs or a similar patrol.
Essex County Council said that it takes the welfare of animals and animal species very seriously.
A spokesman said: "To potentially install a toad crossing sign, a member of the public first has to register a toad crossing with FrogLife, who will then register it with the Department for Transport.
"FrogLife will then send them a letter which can be used as evidence of the registration for the highways department."
To register with Froglife, residents must provide a road name, a brief description of the site and the number of toads usually seen crossing.
