She is retiring after patrolling the busy junction of Eastern Avenue and Middle Road, Shoreham, and seeing hundreds of pupils from Kingston Buci First School, St Peter's Roman Catholic Primary and St Nicolas and St Mary's First and Middle School across the road.

In fact, she has been a lollipop lady for so long that she is seeing second-generation children.

Pat, who was 60 in June, said: "I now see pupils whose parents I helped across the road.

"I will miss seeing everyone, but I am looking forward to my retirement and looking after my husband, who isn't very well at the moment.

"My plan eventually is take up croquet."

A few years ago, Pat's job was nearly axed when traffic lights, with a green man crossing, were installed at the junction.

Parents and school staff set up a petition to keep Pat there to operate the crossing and make sure children were still able to cross safely.

She said: "Hopefully, I will be replaced when I leave next week.

"Although Kingston Buci First School is closing, there will still be young children crossing this junction to go to the new Buckingham Park Primary School."


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