A POPULAR lollipop lady was given an 80th birthday treat to remember as the children who she guides to safety pulled out all the stops to mark the special occasion.

Each day, dedicated Gwen Robinson helps hundreds of pupils to cross Heywood Road in Prestwich as they arrive for school at St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School and Parrenthorn High School.

Yesterday — her 80th birthday — was no different.

Devoted Gwen was out on patrol between 8.15am and 9.10am. But thanks to schoolchildren, staff, parents and the parent teacher associations (PTAs), the street was appropriately transformed into a celebration scene, complete with bunting, banners and balloons.

Keeley Turner, a parent governor at St Margaret’s, said: “Our lovely lollipop lady has turned 80. She is the most amazing lady. She is there every morning to see the children across the road. She turns out in all weathers — come snow, rain or sunshine, that lady is there. So we wanted to mark her birthday with a special surprise.

“The whole community adores her. She is a lovely lady.

“She is there keeping the children safe. She loves seeing all their smiley faces every day. She knows the children by name, even the siblings who are too young to attend school who give her high fives.

“She is very patriotic and wears a rose in her hat on St George’s Day.

“I have seen her nearly run over on several occasions because people choose to speed but she always watches her P’s and Q’s.”

The Bury Council employee, and former carer, has diligently carried out her duties for the past 15 years.

She is also renowned for keeping a few dog treats in her pocket for the passing pooches.

To show their appreciation, children at St Margaret’s designed and created homemade birthday banners for Gwen, who is known for having a few sayings up her sleeve, including “Cross with Gwen, she’ll tell you when."