THE 'lollipop' crossing patrol is 50 years old this month. Reporter David Higgerson crossed the road to find out what all the fuss is about...

LYNN Hennessy takes her life into her own hands each day by walking out into the road in front of moving traffic.

She's been doing it for eight years - and believes she has it down to a fine art.

"The trick is to look at the driver's eyes. If they are looking at you, they will know to stop, and you're safe to walk out. If not they won't see so it is best not to walk out."

It is a tip which seems to have worked for her and the thousands of children she has helped cross the road in her role as one of the School Crossing Patrol staff - or lollipop men and women as they are known to children across the country.

It is 50 years since the concept of the school crossing patrol was first recognised by Government, and the police were tasked with the job of helping children cross roads to school.

There are now 30,000 school crossing patrols in Britain, 360 in the service now run by Lancashire County Council.

The Government is recognising the role the service plays in the community by giving each current crossing patrol a special badge.

But for Lynn, 48, of Ratcliffe Street, Darwen, the job already comes with enough rewards.

She said: "You get to know so many people and everyone is always friendly to me."

She added: "It started off as just a job for a few hours a day which fitted in around school times but it has become something I love doing. I feel as though I am giving something back to the community."

The attraction of the job was so apparent to Lynn's husband Bill, 47, that within a month of her taking up her lollipop stick in Sudell Road, Darwen, he had got his own crossing.

His is on the A666 - the busiest road in Darwen - and is as far removed from his native Melbourne, Australia, as you could imagine.

Bill, a former bus driver, said: "You get a lot of people thanking you all the time, and it is a very nice job to be in. We end up doing more than just crossing children, people are always asking me directions.

"I get a lot of foreign lorry drivers coming down here looking for places and always carry a map book now.

"Even the older children who have moved on to high school will say hello when you see them. You really feel like part of the community."

Further down the A666 in Ewood, Hazel Martindale has manned the crossing outside St Bartholomew's Primary School for 21 years. The 58-year-old began when her children started going to school.

She said: "It really has become a part of my life. It fitted in nicely around the children's school hours but they have long gone. In fact, some of the parents who now cross the road with their children used to cross at my crossing with me when they were children.

"I just feel rewarded for helping people and playing a part in the community."

Lancashire County Council also provides crossing staff for Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Andy Kay, in charge of regeneration at the council, said: "The people that carry out this important role are putting their lives at risk every day and I would personally thank them for their dedication to this role."