YOUNGSTERS at Longton Lane Primary School, Rainhill, have bid a fond farewell to 'lollipop lady', Barbara Gains.

The 57-year-old grandmother from Sandhurst Road, Rainhill, has retired after 26 years of seeing pupils safely across the road -- a 'career' which made her the longest-serving crossing patrol warden in the borough.

However, her devotion to the school didn't stop there. For, over the years, big-hearted Barbara has organised school trips, helped pupils with their schoolwork and even bought lollipops for every single child in the school!

Her daughter, Debbie Vickers, said: "She loves her job and those children all mean the world to her. She didn't really want to retire but she has recently been ill with cancer of the mouth and throat and was forced to take early retirement. But she has never complained and I'm sure she will still be helping the children out with their work and taking them on trips in the future."

To mark her retirement the school held a special farewell presentation and headteacher, Terry Bond, commented: "We will be forever in debt to Barbara for her devotion to the school, not just in making sure the children were safely across the road, but for her help within the school as well. I would love her to continue helping the children with their work for as long as she wants to."