Keighley lollipop lady celebrates 45 years in the job

Susan Chilton has not missed a single day in 45 years

A lollipop lady at a West Yorkshire school has celebrated 45 years of keeping children safe.

Susan Chilton has been on crossing duty outside Our Lady of Victories Catholic Primary School in Keighley twice a day since 1978.

In all that time the 73-year-old has never missed one of her morning and afternoon shifts.

Ms Chilton said she still enjoyed the job, despite once getting knocked over, and hoped to continue.

'A legend'

"I don't think they realise that you put your life in drivers' hands, really," she said.

"It's quite a dangerous job."

She said she preferred dealing with primary school children, as the older secondary school students "don't want to do what you tell them to do".

The long-serving lollipop lady has been described as "like part of the furniture"

Many of the parents taking their children to school were looked after by Ms Chilton themselves when they were pupils.

One mother described her as "a legend".

"She crossed me when I went to this school so she is just like part of the furniture really," she said.

John Devlin, executive head of the school, said: "Sue is fantastic in all weathers; somebody who just has a smile on their face and welcomes the children in the morning."