Lollipop man 'couldn't have had a happier 24 years'

Brian Andrews, 86, said being a lollipop man had been a wonderful experience

An 86-year-old has described being a lollipop man as the "best thing" he has ever done.

Brian Andrews helped thousands of children cross the busy road outside Anlaby Primary School in East Yorkshire.

He was honoured by the school at a special assembly earlier this week to mark his retirement.

Mr Andrews said: "Some of the children that were there when I started have got children of their own now. I couldn't have had a happier 24 years."

The octogenarian said he decided to apply for the role after driving past the school with his wife.

"I wasn't sure how long I would do it for," he said. "But as time went on it got better and better. The children were fabulous, the mums were fabulous and the job was just wonderful."

Mr Andrews, an avid Hull Kingston Rovers rugby league fan, said he would often entertain the children as they made their way to school.

He said: "I've done silly things like in the pouring rain. I've sung Singing in the Rain on the crossing to them.

"It's no good being grumpy with them or anything like that. If you're happy and you greet them in that way, they go in to school happy and have a good day."

Mr Andrews said the highlight of his working day was being the first person the children saw when they were on the way to class.

Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]