AFTER nearly 30 years, Preston Candover Primary School’s lollipop lady Valerie Tibble has hung up her stick for the last time.

Mrs Tibble, 74, has helped schoolchildren for 29 years after joining the village school in the mid-80s.

Every morning Mrs Tibble, who has lived in Preston Candover since 1973, would stop traffic so students at the school could safely cross the road.

“When the role of lollipop lady came up in 1986, my husband had just passed away and I couldn’t live on a widow’s pension so I applied and haven’t looked back,” said Mrs Tibble.

“The job just suited me – I loved the children and across those 29 years I have met some wonderful people.

"Every year I would dress up as Father Christmas for the children and the children remember that well."

During her 29 years of service, Mrs Tibble is remembered for sending every single pupil in the school, approximately 140 children, a Christmas card and a lollipop.

Many of the school’s Year 6 pupils paid tribute to Mrs Tibble.

“She was a mountain of fun and we will always remember her,” one student said.

“She was always doing fun things like wearing wigs, she can knit almost anything.”

Now retired Mrs Tibble will be looking after her husband who has a form of dementia.

“I don’t think I’ve done bad,” Mrs Tibble added.

“I have worked as the lollipop lady, a lunch-time school supervisor and for Lady Sainsbury across those 30 years so it’s like I’ve worked for 90 years.

“I have enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone.

“I retired once and they asked to have me back, but I don’t think they can twist my arm again – I think I deserve a rest.”