A LOLLIPOP Lady has celebrated 30 years in the job after parents surprised her with balloons and gifts on the day.

Sharron Malcolm has been a Lollipop Lady at Chamberlayne Road, Eastleigh, for more than half her life, since she started the job in 1990.

After so long, crossing, not only school children at nearby Norwood Primary School, but also local people going to work, Sharron has become well known to Eastleigh residents.

Famed for wearing her high heels whilst working, Sharron is a huge part of the local community according to parents at the school.

On Thursday, parents and their children came together to congratulate their Lollipop Lady, showering her with gifts and cards.

One of the parents and organisers, Allison Banks, said: “All of the parents really do appreciate her being stood there in all types of weather.

“When we realised she was hitting 30 years, we knew it was a spectacular thing and that we needed to recognise it.

“We were worried that with Covid it might not be recognised in the way that it should be, but we refused to let that happen.

“We put a message out on facebook inviting families to do whatever it is they wanted to do.

“It was a wonderful way to celebrate a lady that is just a really special community hero.”

Sharron is nearing the end of her tenure as the local Lollipop Lady as she is leaving the job on December 17.

After 30 years, many of the children she used to help cross the road have grown up and are now taking their own children to the school.

Sharron said: “I had a wonderful day. I can’t thank them enough. They really made yesterday such a special day.

“It’s lovely seeing the kids faces and hearing them calling out to you as they come up the road and waving.

“I am going to miss them but I feel now is the time to finally hang up my hat and my coat.”

Once she leaves the role, Sharron said she is going to enjoy spending the extra time with her recently retired husband, and her grandson.