Britain’s oldest lollipop lady has finally hung up her lollipop at the age of 85 - because she is scared that she could slip and fall on ice.
Mary Marshall has been helping children cross the road to school for 26 years but has decided to give it up after a bitterly cold December.
The OAP has helped three generations of children cross the road close to her home after starting her patrols in 1984.
Mary said: 'I did not want to stop now, but the weather has forced me to reconsider. 'I’m happy to go out in snow, and I don’t mind the cold, but I am worried about falling on the ice.
Clear to go: Mary helps some children cross the road during one of her last ever shifts
'My sister has had a fall and it made me think maybe it’s time to call it a day. But I shall miss it so much.
'I might be the oldest lollipop lady in the country, but I certainly don’t feel my age. I’d love to carry on for another 26 years if I could.
'If I could turn back the clock I would do it all again.' 'Pupils at the local schools have always been very polite to me and I shall miss them terribly.'
The pensioner from North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, said the road she patrols - Dore Avenue - is a lot busier than when she started.
Mrs Marshall had an assembly in her honour at Fosse Way Primary School as she retired before the start of the holidays.
Send off: Mary has helped three generations of children cross the road in North Hykeham, Lincolnshire
She added: 'The roads have got so busy compared to what it was like when I first started.
'And the terrible thing is some drivers don't think. I've been stood in the middle of the road before with my lollipop and one or two drivers have gone round me.
'If you say anything you get a load of verbal abuse. But all I've ever been interested in is the safety of the children.'
Lincolnshire road safety officer Delphine Norton said: 'Every time I have seen Mary, she had a smile on her face and every time a child said ‘thank you’ that smile gets bigger.
'Mary is one of our longest serving lollipop ladies - and definitely the oldest.'
Seven-year-old schoolpupil Mykenzie Mellers, 7, said: 'We will really miss her.'
