A much-loved lollipop lady who has helped three generations safely across the road has retired.

Mary Snowdon, 74, spent the past 37 years keeping children at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School safe as they crossed the busy Curbridge Road in Witney.

She retired last week and was thanked by the school’s youngsters with cards, flowers and lollipops during a ceremony at the school.

Mrs Snowdon, of Burwell Drive, said: “It has been wonderful and I have met so many nice people.

“The children were definitely my favourite part of the job. They were very good and I liked to see them waiting for me.”

Asked if she felt part of the school’s community, she joked: “I felt like I was part of the road.”

Mrs Snowdon, who became a lollipop lady after walking into the school and asking if they had any jobs, has been off work for the last year after she fell off her bike and broke her pelvis in two places.

She said: “I would have carried on but I didn’t feel fit enough.

“Of course I shall miss it. I will miss the company.”

Mrs Snowdon has four sons, who attended Our Lady of Lourdes, and seven grandchildren. Her husband, William, died two years ago at the age of 72.

Headteacher Jenny Walker said: “Mary has been at Our Lady of Lourdes for 37 years and in that time she has helped thousands of children and families.

“The children absolutely adore her and the comments they made in her cards were really touching.

“She has been a pillar of our school community for so many years and she will be missed by us all.”

Mrs Walker said that during the last year she had been “constantly” phoned by parents asking how Mrs Snowdon was and when she would be back.

School governor Chris Morris, 42, who has three children at the school, said: “She has touched so many families over the years and, more importantly, helped keep so many children safe.

“And the length of time she has been in the role is something very unusual.

“It is remarkable achievement and something to be celebrated.

“She was great with the kids and she was always smiling. She was part of the fabric of the school and the kids have missed her.”

Mrs Snowdon was employed by Oxfordshire County Council.

The council’s school crossing patrol manager, Mark Sutherland, said: “She has been fabulous and it is the end of an era really.

“She is just the kind of person we need a lot more of.”