They're out there in all weathers.

Be it rain or shine, they safely show children across the road, and they're committed, friendly and caring. Yes, you've guessed it - it's that great British institution - the lollipop person.

So what does it take to be top of the lollipops? A recruitment drive for likely candidates has just been launched in York so I headed off to Westfield School, in Acomb, to find out.

My first taste of exactly what it takes to become a lollipop lady came when I encountered Sylvia Barker, who has been a crossing patrol warden for nearly 23 years, and whose mission it was to lick me into shape as a top-notch lollipop lady.

After donning the regulation cap, unmissable yellow coat and grabbing my enormous lollipop, I really felt the part. I thought there must be more to the job than this, though, so I asked Sylvia her opinion. "It's handy, as I only live round the corner," she quipped.

"I also love working with the kids and the parents - it's a really sociable job and you really become part of the local community.

"Only the other day, some of the older lads from Oaklands school crossed over and asked what flavour my lollipop was. And some Americans came up to me in the pouring rain and took my photo the other day, saying 'You're so quaint'."

Stepping out into the road for the first time to stop the oncoming traffic, I felt like a kamikaze jay-walker, but soon got used to showing the children and their parents safely across the road.

They were all really friendly, too. One little girl looked brazenly up at me and said, "It's my mummy's birthday today." "How old is she?" I asked. "Not telling you," she said before skipping merrily off. Oh...any advice, Sylvia?

"Just have a laugh with the kids, it's great fun. You've also got to be prompt and reliable - they depend on you to be there."

And what kind of lolly can lollipop ladies expect to earn? "It's quite good, actually - £4.63 per hour."

Sounds OK to me. Maybe I will have should have a change of career after all...

Anyone wanting more information regarding the current recruitment drive should contact York 554262.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.