A LOLLIPOP lady was surprised by a school assembly held in her honour yesterday, as she celebrated 25 years of work.

Pauline Holmes, of Rugby Road, Maindee, has been a lollipop lady at the previous and current Maindee Primary School for a quarter of a century.

Her best friend and colleague, Angela Lloyd, who works on the crossing with her, said: “I’ve worked with her for 18 years. She’ll be in total shock by the surprise.”

Emma Nolan, head teacher at the school, said: “We wanted to do this assembly for her as it was the children saying thank you.”

Mrs Holmes was very surprised at the assembly, which she knew nothing about. The children presented her with flowers and lots of cards, full of personal messages, one of which read: “I want to be a lollipop lady when I grow up.”

Mrs Nolan said: “They go over and above with what they do. They know all the children and their families. The children absolutely love her.

“It’s all very friendly, they’re part of the community.”

Mrs Holmes is not afraid to approach drivers who exceed the speed limit outside the school and regularly tells them off.

Mrs Nolan added: “She’ll come rain or shine and the kids trust her – and that’s the important thing. She’s the start of the children’s day.

“Now we look forward to the next 25 years.”