A POPULAR lollipop lady is retiring from “a way of life” after more than two decades helping keep local school children safe.

School crossing patroller Val Morgan spent 15 years helping children cross Trimdon Avenue and for the last six-and-a-half years has been based on St Mary’s Walk outside Green Lane Primary Academy – both in Middlesbrough.

Now 69, she has taken the decision to retire and spend more time enjoying her hobby of rambling.

“It’s a job in a million and I’m going to miss it – it’s a way of life really,” she said. “I’m 70 next year so I decided to retire. I’m going to enjoy the lie-ins and I like rambling so I’m going to get out and do a lot more walking.

“I will miss the children and the funny things they say and I’ve met some lovely people.”

 

Val Harrison hangs up her lollipop

On her last day before the school broke up for Christmas, she had her annual pile of presents given to her by grateful children and parents.

She was also invited into Green Lane school where pupils made a presentation to her.

“The generosity of people is amazing,” she said. “I get all these presents and it takes me all day on Christmas Day to open them but they put their notes on and I know who they are all from.”

Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for economic development and infrastructure, said: “On behalf of us all at Middlesbrough Council we want to say thank you to Val for her service to the community she has served.”