TOP OF THE LOLLIPOPS

CROSSING ATTENDANT ANN GIVEN GUARD OF HONOUR AS COMMUNITY SAYS THANK YOU

- NEAL KEELING

SHE didn't regard it as a job. To her it was a labour of love which she did until the age of 83.

But when Ann Sharp had a fall and had to give up her high-vis jacket and pole, news spread quickly in her village. During 35 years of service she had helped up to three generations of families safely across the road.

The injury meant she did not have the chance to say goodbye. So her community sprung a surprise to give 'Lollipop Ann' the thank you she deserved.

She thought she was having just coffee and cake with a friend at a restaurant at Unsworth Pole, Whitefield. But, when she left, her tears came as she saw 150 locals lined up outside to give her a guard of honour.

They clapped her to the cenotaph where she sat on a bench, dazed by the reception. She is loved not only by local school children, but their parents - and their grandparents who she once helped across the same busy junction.

The headmaster and head boy and head girl from Unsworth Academy paid tribute, as did friends and locals.

The local pub, The Bay Horse, laid on refreshments.