County title honours lollipop lady's 15 years of dedication

Julie Reed, 43, took over at Hunningley Primary School in Stairfoot, Barnsley, after her predecessor encouraged her to apply for the job and has turned out every school day since then.

The mother-of-one also works at the school as a classroom assistant, meaning when she ends her morning lollipop shift she goes into the classroom and then returns to the crossing at home time.

She said: "I enjoy the social side of the job the most.

"I have got to know all the parents over the years and some of them are now grandparents, and I see the secondary school children passing by.

"Other parts of the job have changed a lot, because there is a lot more traffic and there are a lot more impatient drivers who will just drive through even when you are standing in the road.

"But there are the regular drivers who come this way every day and they always wait and wave when they see me."

Ms Reed, who lives in nearby Kendray, won 100 for herself and 500 for the school and was put forward for the award by pupils who made a DVD to send to judges.

She said: "I didn't even know they had been filming me and I didn't know anything about the award, so it did come as a real surprise."

Headteacher Robert Bowley said: "We think Julie really deserves her title as the best lollipop person in Yorkshire."