Debbie won for her devotion to helping children at Royston Summerfield Primary keep safe.

But her dedication doesn't stop outside the school gates. Debbie helps clean the school and was even a school dinnerlady for seven years.

She has also spent years as a school fundraiser and helps out at events, whether it's a concert, school disco or summer fair.

Debbie, of Craven Close, Royston, whose age is a closely guarded secret, took on her lollipop role six years ago as a temporary position - but loved it so much she stayed.

"We have had a lot of bad weather recently and certainly the roads are much busier now then they used to be, but I love my job and love dealing with all the children and everyone at the school," she said.

"Every year I do buy a lollipop for every child I walk across the road. They are lovely kids and they all chat away to me. It's not well paid at all - but it is very very rewarding.

"No-one told me they had written in to the competition - all the children wrote letters about me and they all managed to keep it a secret till I was told the news. I'm delighted."

Assistant head John Brady said: "Everyone wanted to nominate Debbie for this award because she's the best. Without a doubt she is the loveliest lollipop lady in Barnsley - we think she's the best in the country. She doesn't just safely help children across the road, she knows them all individually.

"Debbie chats to them, she notices and looks after them if they are upset and gives a great deal of her own time to help everyone at the school.

"She is incredibly well liked by all the children, staff and parents and when we learned of this competition we wanted to nominate her to show how much we all appreciate all she does for us all."

Debbie was presented with a breakfast hamper after being named Barnsley's loveliest lollipop person and will now go forward to the Yorkshire and Humber finals of the contest organised by Warburtons bakers. The regional winner will receive holiday vouchers and the school who nominated the winner will get a 'Streetfeet' road safety role play kit.

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