James Maddocks helped children from St Thomas's School cross Finch Road, Douglas, for the last time last week.

At 75 he had reached the 'maximum age for employment as a school crossing patrol in the Isle of Man' under Department of Transport policy.

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Mr Maddocks, of Waverley Court, Douglas, had asked to continue in the role and was backed by parents.

Parents' spokesman Diane McKeeman said: 'You get wet from November to January. It isn't the best job to have but he always turns up - but it's not just a job it's a social thing.'

She appealed for the DoT to use its discretion to allow him to carry on as long as he is fit and healthy, adding: 'He knows everyone so if a stranger comes up he would know what was going on.'

A 161-signature petition calling for Mr Maddocks to be allowed to stay on at the school was sent to Transport Minister David Anderson MHK by Douglas East MHK Brenda Cannell on behalf of parents and children at St Thomas's School.

Mrs Cannell said: 'The lollipop person is the first school person the children see at the beginning of the day and is also a reassuring presence for parents.

'The children and parents of St Thomas's School have a high regard for their lollipop man and wish him to stay in post.

'He holds their trust and respect and has for the last 11 years ensured their safe passage to and from school irrespective of weather conditions and busy traffic flow. To say they are very fond of him would be putting it mildly.'

She discovered that in some areas of the UK the age limit is higher. In April 80-year-old Fred Kent, from Islington, was given a six-month reprieve having previously been told he must retire.

Mrs Cannell said: 'It's ironic that school crossing patrol skills is listed in the top 10 shortages in local government in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man has been similarly placed with problems attracting and retaining people to undertake this type of work and yet despite this it would appear that the department is not prepared to use any discretion in this case as to whether the person is fit to do the job, which surely must be the department's first priority.'

The DoT declined to comment on the matter, although it is understood a new patrol officer has been appointed.

In 2006 a dispute arose between Michael Hunt, who was then the lollipop man at Marown School, and the DoT after he refused to stop helping children cross Glen Darragh Road as well as the main Douglas to Peel Road.

He faced disciplinary action but eventually resigned after traffic lights were installed at the junction.

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YOUR COMMENTS

If he is competent and happy in his job let him keep it!
TC

He use to be out caretaker at St Marys when I was a child and he is a lovely man. Keep him there.
ANON