A long service award was presented to the island’s longest-serving lollipop man who has retired after 24 years.

Robert Brown received his award this week from Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey with Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas and chief executive at the Department of Home Affairs, Dan Davies, attending.

Last year, Mr Brown stepped down from his role of safely crossing Henry Bloom Noble School pupils due to medical reasons. He is thought to be the longest-serving lollipop man in the island.

His wife Kathleen attended the event along with his former supervisor Vivian Moore and two student representatives of HBN, Millie and Baylee, with their parents.

’I’ve known them right from when they were babies,’ said Mr Brown. ’Millie is in her last year at HBN and Baylee is in Year 4 (ages eight to nine). I’ve known Baylee when I was working at Fairfield School before it closed. I used to see him when his mum was putting him in the car to take him to nursery.

’I used to work at Bar George doing the cleaning and Millie’s mother used to work there as a waitress and that’s how I came to know her.’

Mr Brown said being a lollipop man was an enjoyable experience, but he didn’t miss being out in bad weather. ’There was the snow in 2010 and there has been gale force 10 winds, so I had to make sure the wind wouldn’t blow the children away.’

Mr Malarkey said: ’It was a pleasure to present Mr Brown with this award and thank him for his services over the past 24 years. Mr Brown has been a friendly face for countless families over the years but most importantly has ensured safe road crossings for the children of Fairfield and latterly Henry Bloom Noble. I wish him all the best with his retirement.’