SHE may not miss the rainy mornings and standing outside in the cold.

But Barrow Hall Primary School's lollipop lady has said after more than 15 years in the role she will definitely miss the smiles on Great Sankey children's faces when she helps them cross the road.

Staff and pupils at the school will be waving a fond farewell to Gill Morris tomorrow, Friday, but the mum to Sophie, aged 19, said she will still see lots of them in her new role walking children to school at Cookies link club in Great Sankey.

The 52-year-old added: "I thought I would leave in two years time when the school closed here but then another job came up.

"Everyone has been lovely and really complimentary when I told them I was leaving.

"Lots of people have said they will miss me and I have watched a lot of youngsters in the area grow up and they recognise me and stop me in Asda and say 'Hello miss'."

Gill took over the role after her neighbour suggested she would do a good job but admits she was not keen at first.

She added: "I didn't really fancy it as I didn't like the cold but my neighbour offered to mind my daughter Sophie while I was doing it and all these years later I have really enjoyed it.

"I will miss all the children but I won't miss having to drip dry when it's cold and wet in the mornings."

John Littler, head teacher at Barrow Hall Primary, said everyone was sad to see Gill go.

He added: "She's very much part of the community and all the children will really miss her.

"We held a presentation in assembly to say a big thank you to her for looking after the pupils over the years."

A council spokesman said:

“The council has a criteria based on national guidance that must be met to provide a School Crossing Patrol.

"The Barrow Hall Lane site has previously failed to meet this criteria.

"As the patrol officer has resigned the post, the council has undertaken additional surveys and the site now passes the criteria.  

“The council will now be looking to recruit a replacement School Crossing Patrol to operate on Barrow Hall Lane.”