A WOMAN who has helped generations of youngsters safely across the road is hanging up her lollipop after 25 years.

Although Margaret Richards, 63, of Clist Road, Bettws, Newport, never planned to be a lollipop lady, she says she has loved her job and will miss the children when she leaves on March 24.

Mrs Richards began work in September 1979 after her daughter started at Monnow Infants School.

Since then, she has walked generations of families across Monnow Way and has become known locally as "Margaret the Lollipop Lady".

Throughout her career, she has taken just six weeks off work - for pneumonia and an ear infection - and says she is only retiring because of the weather.

She said: "I didn't plan to be a lollipop lady so it's hard to believe I've been doing it for this long.

"I walk 30 children across the road most days and I know all their names by heart.

"It's not a hard job but the weather has got to me now. I stand out there in the rain, the snow - everything.

"I'll still be living in the area but people don't recognise unless I'm wearing my uniform."