Pembrokeshire’s longest serving lollypop lady is hanging up her fluorescent hat on Wednesday, having spent 43 years helping youngsters onto buses and across the road in Roch school.

Joyce Morgan began working at the school in September 1973. As well as manning the school crossing she has also worked as a dinner lady, helped children with reading and swimming and accompanied pupils on school trips.

Mrs Morgan, 74, decided last winter that it was time to put her lollypop sign into retirement.

“It was so wet and windy, it was horrible,” she said. “I decided it was time to say goodbye.

On her retirement she is planning to enjoy foreign travel and whist and says she will still pop back into the school to see everyone.

“I have really enjoyed helping the children,” she said. “They are lovely. All the staff are wonderful as well.”

The school said goodbye to Mrs Morgan with a special celebratory concert on Monday, ending with a specially written song, thanking her for all her hard work over the years.

“After 43 years she is going to be a hard act to replace,” said headteacher Carl Evans. “The children have looked upon her as a mother and later a grandmother figure. She is part of the school and one of the reasons Roch is such a special school.”