Top award for lollipop lady retiring after 29 years

Linda Wilson says she has loved every minute of being a lollipop lady

A much-loved lollipop lady has said she is "overwhelmed" by being honoured with a civic award for her "unwavering dedication" on the eve of her retirement after three decades.

Linda Wilson has helped pupils from St Mary's RC Primary School in Horwich, Bolton and Chorley New Road Primary Academy across the road since 1996.

The 67-year-old will be presented with the Horwich Civic Award at a school assembly on Thursday, the day before she hangs up her lollipop stick.

Ms Wilson said it had been a "tough decision" to finally hang up her lollipop as she had absolutely loved seeing generations of children grow up.

St Mary's head teacher Dominique Hayes said she had "touched everyone's hearts".

Ms Wilson appeared in a local newspaper article in 2003 celebrating 50 years of lollipop ladies across Bolton

Ms Wilson said while she will miss the pupils, their parents and school staff she is looking forward to lie-ins and leisurely lunches without "watching the clock" - as well as being able to take holidays in term time.

"I have absolutely loved it, especially seeing the children grow up and then have children of their own," she said.

She said she lives nearby and she will pop in the school from time to time "so it won't be goodbye".

The modest mother of two also said she had wanted to "bow out quietly" but has been "overwhelmed" with all the praise.

"I was so shocked when I found out about the award," she said.

Horwich Town Council awards two civic medals every two years to acknowledge great service over many years.

'A superwoman'

Head teacher Ms Hayes said she had mixed emotions about saying goodbye to "our wonderful lollipop lady".

She said she felt both "immense gratitude" and "sadness".

"For nearly three decades, she has been a constant presence at the school gates, guiding our children safely and warmly across the road, rain or shine, with an unwavering dedication that has touched the hearts of all," she said.

"She will always have a special place in the hearts of our school family."

Martin Donaghy, Bolton Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "Twenty-nine years' service is a remarkable achievement and I'm sure Linda will be much missed."

He added: "I wish her well in her retirement."

Suzy Taylor, a former pupil whose child now goes to St Mary's, said the lollipop lady was a "superwoman".

She added: "Linda is so warm and friendly - she is going to be really missed by everyone. It's the end of an era."