A JOKE-TELLING lollipop lady believed to be the longest serving school crossing worker in the county is finally putting her feet up.

Margaret Seddon has helped keep children safe outside St Oswald's Primary in Knuzden for 15 years, and says the job has been "a labour of love".

"Auntie Margaret" as she is known to hundreds of children entertains children adn staff alike with her regular jokes.

And she is only giving it up because Lancashire County Council does not insure anyone over 74.

Mrs Seddon, from Harwood Bar Caravan Park, Mill Lane, Great Harwood, said: "I became a lollipop lady after I retired at 60 from being a catering assistant.

"I've always been active and wanted to carry on doing something.

"I had always fancied the idea of being a lollipop lady, and working with children, as I'd never had any of my own but loved spending time with my nieces and nephews.

"There were two vacancies going, and I got St Oswald's - the rest is history! I've loved every minute of it.

"The school held a special assembly and presentation for me on Friday, and my boss from Preston came. I told him and the children then that it has been a labour of love, and that I would have done it even if I hadn't been paid."

Mrs Seddon has done crossing patrol in Stanhill Road twice daily from 8.35am to 9.05am, and from 3.25pm to 3.45pm.

During that time she has come to know and love hundreds of children.

"They are like my extended family', said Mrs Seddon, who was widowed five years ago.

"I get so many hugs and kisses, they're so affectionate and make me feel so wanted, it's been an absolute delight. I chat to them every day and make sure they're OK, some of my best memories are those children I've helped cheer up when they've been upset about something.

"When my husband Johnnie died, they helped me more than they'll ever know. I received so many messages and flowers from families, they were wonderful."

Staff, pupils and families will greatly miss "Auntie Margaret", who is well known for her constant smile.

Elaine Pye, from Intack, brought a leaving present for her at the request of her son Jayden, seven.

She said: "Margaret's just lovely, she never lets us down. She's here rain, wind or shine. Jayden loves her."

Four-year-old pupil Dominic Nelson, who lives in Guide, said: "She tells us jokes all the time, which I then tell all my family!"

Morgan Eagan, six, said: "She always says good morning to us, and tells us everything that's going on."