A popular lollipop lady has retired after more than three decades in the role.

Dorothy Quinn had helped Beaver Green Primary School pupils, in Ashford, cross the road for 31 years, but has now hung up her hi-vis for a more relaxed life.

On her last day before the summer holiday, a group of 30 Year 6 pupils presented Mrs Quinn with a garden bench, which had a plaque on it reading "you'll always be a beaver!"

And after years of fundraising, the primary school recently bought a minibus, which has been named Dot in her honour.

Louise Hopkins, the school's executive head teacher, said: "Every day - rain, snow or shine - Dorothy helped generations of children cross the road to school safely.

"She's been in attendance three times a day - the morning drop off, lunch time for nursery children arriving and some going home and then the afternoon collection.

"In addition to her employment as the lollipop lady, she has volunteered in the school too, hearing children read, speaking to nursery and reception children as part of their 'people who help us' topic and teaching them to safely cross the road if there isn't a lollipop lady there to help them."

The primary school has been told Kent County Council will not replace Mrs Quinn, but that it can hire one off its own back.

While the budget won't stretch that far, the authority has suggested creating a rota of volunteers.

Ms Hopkins added: "Dorothy didn't want a fuss - she said she wouldn't come in to an assembly - but our staff, once they heard she was retiring, were desperate to give her an appropriate send-off.

"Dorothy has been a central figure within the school for a very long time - she has become something of a guardian, keeping watch, making sure generations of children and their families were safely on their way to school.

"She knew everybody who passed by, always with a friendly smile and a wave."

The school's chairman of governors, Labour councillor Brendan Chilton, is one of many former pupils who remembers Mrs Quinn at the Cuckoo Lane site.

He said: "She has had a long association with the school, and now, I would like to wish Mrs Quinn a long and happy retirement.

"We will all miss her and hope she will regularly visit our school."

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