'Big shoes to fill' for town's new lollipop lady

A Lancashire town's new lollipop lady said she had "big shoes to fill" after taking over from a woman who had been doing the job for more than 56 years.

Harriet Sharrock, a former dairy farmer and baker, said she had "a lot of names to learn" in Longridge since her predecessor Irene Reid "knew everyone".

Irene, who previously received an MBE for her services to road safety, retired as the lollipop lady at Longridge Church of England Primary School earlier this year.

Harriet said: "Everyone keeps asking me if I'm going to do the 50+ years, and I can guarantee you that I probably won't!"

Harriet told BBC Radio Lancashire she had accepted the role because she enjoyed helping the local community, and her son was a pupil at the school.

She also has Irene's blessing.

Harriet, who called her predecessor "a legend in Longridge", said they often joked that one day she would take up the lollipop stick.

On her first day, Harriet said she was handed a bag of dog biscuits since Irene used to dole out treats to local hounds on their morning walks.

"You can see them dragging their owners up Berry Lane," said Harriet.

In terms of being qualified to be a lollipop lady, she joked that her experience on a dairy farm put her in good stead to shepherd kids across the road.

She did, however, quip: "The children can be less compliant!"

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