Ken Morley, 75, has been a permanent fixture outside St Andrew's Primary School, Tulketh Road, Ashton, for the past seven years.

In that time he has become part of the community and a hit with staff, parents and children.

But because he has turned 75, issues with insurance mean Mr Morley will be forced to hang up his lollipop for the final time on December 18. It had been hoped that officers at County Hall could find a solution which would enableover-75s like Mr Morley to stay on.

But, despite being fully fit and desperate to stay, he will have to go.
Mr Morley said: "I'm devastated to be honest, it is ludicrous.
"What is the point in me having a medical?

"I was under the impression it was going to get sorted. The thing is, when I go there is no one to replace me."

Mr Morley, a former police detective, says working as a lollipop man gave him a "reason to get out of bed in the morning" after his wife died two years ago.

He added: "I willl have to look for something else now.
"When she died I was already here doing this, but it helped me through a very sad time."

The decision has devastated children and staff at St Andrew's who held a special assembly to honour Ken when he turned 75 on November 10.

He said he was "overwhelmed" when he was given a standing ovation by youngsters and presented with an engraved watch, cards from all the classes and a £90 shopping gift card.

"When you walk in and there are 400 children clapping and cheering it is amazing," he added.

Heather Wallace, the bursar at St Andrew's Primary School, said: "I think it is a crying shame he has got to go when he can do the job, he is fit to do the job, he wants to do the job and he enjoys doing the job. We were led to believe something could be done but apparently nothing can be done now."

>> Vote in our latest web poll

News Review map: Relive the top headlines of the year so far