A PRIMARY school head teacher is donning a neon outfit, hat and lollipop stick to assist her pupils in crossing the road safely.

Merley First School's new head teacher, Mrs Baldwin, has taken on the role of lollipop lady alongside a couple of volunteers from the Merley community.

(Image: Submitted)

The previous longstanding lollipop lady, Mrs Witt, assisted children in crossing the road to school for nearly 50 years before retiring in 2022.

She died in in 2023.

Mrs Baldwin said: "Despite BCP Council's efforts to fill the position, no one stepped forward.

"So, I thought, I can do that — arrive at work a bit earlier and help the pupils cross the road."

(Image: NQ)

Mrs Baldwin said the idea came about after two volunteers from the Lantern church, children and families pastor Ruth Grist and vicar Mike Tufnell, decided to help out alongside Cllr Richard Burton.

The four volunteers work together to slow the traffic in Oakley Hill and ensure the children follow road safety.

Mrs Baldwin said she got training from BCP Council to enable her to get cars to slow down as they approach the crossing.

"I learned a lot of things about crossing patrols that I didn't know.

"A very lovely lady from the council came along and talked me through how to keep myself and the children safe when going out into the crossing. She then came out with me and supported and talked me through it.

(Image: NQ)

"I thought it was going to be a really easy thing to do. But it's actually not, in the sense that you are stepping into the road.

"You've got to trust that the drivers are going to see you and stop and put your lollipop out."

The parents of children at Merley First School have been very grateful Mrs Baldwin has stepped up to the challenge.

One parent said: "She's an amazing new head teacher and I wanted to get her some recognition for being so caring. It's what the community and school need."