FOR nearly two decades, come rain, wind or shine, Dot Lazell has ensured the safety of literally thousands of children.

Day in and day out she's made sure that youngsters in the Bedale area get to and from school without harm.

And last week the youngsters at Bedale Primary repaid the favour - at an emotional assembly called to mark her retirement after 19 years as a lollipop lady.

Each of the 337 pupils currently at the school had played a part in making a giant card for Dot and the school also presented her with a rose to remember the children by.

School head David Fishburn said: "The motto of our school is Learning and Caring Together - and Dot has been the epitome of that."