YORK’S longest-serving lollipop lady is hanging up her stick after 47 years.

Christine Horn, known to local schoolchildren as Auntie Chris or ‘lop lop lady’, who started in the role at the age of 23, is retiring this month.

Christine, 70, started in the role in 1971 - the same year Apollo 14 landed on the Moon, the first video recorder for home use was sold and Britain said goodbye to the shilling.

She has helped generations of children, parents and grandparents safely across the road outside Osbaldwick Infant School.

Although she is retiring, Christine said she would not be putting her feet up.

She said: “I’m not one to sit still, and I’ll be out and about spending time with my eight grandchildren or volunteering as part of the friends of the hospital or dog walking.

“I’ve loved every minute of my time as a lollipop lady, it’s been my life. I don’t remember all the children’s names, but I remember all their faces. I’ve helped three generations over the years - some of the children are now 50 years old. I felt more than just a lollipop lady though. To the children I was a friendly face, someone to talk to. They were fantastic and I just loved it. You got invited into the school and were part of the community.

“You knew all the children and all the parents and it’s a wonderful school and a wonderful community.”

Cllr Peter Dew, executive member for transport at City of York Council, said: “It’s incredibly humbling to hear about Christine’s work over the years, and to know that just four patrollers together have worked an incredible 141 years of seeing our children safety across the road is a real achievement.

“We should not underestimate the importance of the job this dedicated group of front line staff do, on a daily basis. Seeing the youngest members of our communities safely across the road on the journey to school is a very responsible and worthy role.”

The council is currently looking for new school crossing patrollers in York, including Rufforth Primary School and Clifton Green School.

The role is usually between five and 10 hours each week, and the pay is £8.70 per hour, working school term times.

For more information email school.patrols@york.gov.uk or phone 01904 551331.