A FAMILIAR face on the school run is hanging up her hi-vis jacket and retiring after 16 years as a lollipop lady in Salisbury.

Carole Arnold retires as the lollipop lady at Pembroke Park Primary School next Thursday (January 25) after years of helping children and parents safely cross Devizes Road.

The 69-year-old says she has enjoyed “everything” about her role as a lollipop lady especially seeing all the children and their mums through the years.

“I absolutely love it” she said. “It is only through ill health and the cold weather [that I’ve decided to retire]. It is one of those things.”

Another reason for her decision to step away from the role was that she is approaching 70.

She started in the role when the school was known as Avon Middle School.

However, Carole admits she had intended to retire three years ago, adding: “A lot of the mums and dads talked me out of it but not this time my mind was made up to retire.”

She said: “I will miss the kids and all the hellos and cuddles I get. If I could carry on I would.

“I’m just sad I’m having to retire.”

In her retirement Carole will still be keeping busy and says she intends to spend more time volunteering at the Trussell Trust’s charity shop in Bemerton Heath, which she loves doing. She is also hoping to get out in the garden more.