Medway’s oldest lollipop man is hanging up his hi-vis jacket after 11 years.

Bill Thomas, 84, is retiring from Hempstead Infant School, Hempstead Road, and to celebrate pupils, mums and younger siblings had tea and cakes after his morning shift.

The great-grandfather, who lives in Pine Grove, Hempstead, also had a special assembly in his honour and children from each class gave him a card.

The staff presented him with a bag of presents including two steaks, his favourite meal.

Rehman Chishti, MP for Gillingham and Rainham, was also there and told the children he had invited Mr Thomas to parliament and given him a tour.

Mr Thomas said: “The best part of being a lollipop man is all of the children.

“They are all kind and good to me. I retired from the Post Office after 23 years. I was always up early and my daughter said Hempstead were looking for a lollipop man.

“I know all the children but I can’t remember all their names so I call them all ‘Snowball’. I had a mum tell me after her son left school it meant the world to him, being called Snowball.”

Kate Dadd, head teacher, said: “He’s such a huge part of the school community.

“It’s not just the children, he knows the parents and the grandparents. He has a real conversation with the children as the come in the mornings. He will be sorely missed.”

Mr Chishti, said: “I first met Bill when I was driving through Hempstead and he is always smiling.

“He goes above and beyond his duty to get people across the road safely.”

Claire Harris, Medway Council’s travel initiatives supervisor, said: “Bill has been an essential and valued member of our School Crossing Patrol Service, for more than a decade.

“At the age of 84 he is the oldest patrol on Medway’s roads and never failed to brighten up your day with his friendly manner.

“Bill’s passion, dedication and love for the job will be truly missed by all.

“He has been a pleasure to work with and I wish him all the best for the future.”