Tributes to long-serving lollipop man 'who always had time and a kind word for pedestrians'

Accompanied by his dog Snowy, Mr Boreham was a fixture on Princes Avenue in Hull, where come rain or shine he would be guiding people across the road.

Mr Boreham hit the headlines in 2010 when he was told to stop using a home-made sign thanking careful drivers.

He got almost universal support from the parents of the children he escorted after council officials told him to stop as it may distract motorists.

At the time Hull Council said they had no choice as it was illegal for crossing patrol staff to carry any signs other than their lollipop.

Love Prinny Ave Facebook site said Mr Boreham would be sadly missed: "It is with huge sadness that we report the death of Princes' Avenue's wonderful, long-serving Lollipop Man, Phil.

"He always had time and a kind word for pedestrians, plus a smile and wave for motorists.

"The whole community will miss him very much."

A local resident said he always told children to get off their bikes before crossing, and would tell people about the bad examples of driving he had witnessed.

She said: "He always used to tell me if someone had been driving badly or he saw people on their mobile phones driving. He was just a real chatty, nice member of the community."