NEW lollipop ladies - or men - are needed to help children in New Earswick, near York, get to school.

An appeal was made for new staff today following the retirement of lollipop lady Pauline Stubbings after 25 years.

Mrs Stubbings has retired from her daily duty, helping children to cross Huntington Road near St Andrew's Church, on the way to New Earswick Primary School.

Her departure follows the death of Derrick Gell, 74, last summer, who for many years helped children across Haxby Road outside the school.

Adverts to recruit new staff since then have drawn a blank and Marion Barclay, school crossing patrols supervisor, said parents were having to help children cross the road.

She said there were other vacancies across the city, at Tang Hall Lane, and on New Lane, Huntington, but the New Earswick situation was the most urgent.

She said the jobs involved half-an-hour in the morning, and half-an-hour at night. Full training would be given.

"We're looking for someone who likes children and would have a word for everybody - and who would be able to work in all weathers."

A special assembly was held at the school to mark Mrs Stubbings' retirement and she was presented with a card and a photograph of the 20 children she has helped every day as well as flowers and a cake.

Headteacher Carole Farrar said parents had always been impressed by Mrs Stubbings' reliability and said she always waited for all the children to arrive and knew them all by their first name.

She was always interested in the school and used to give children cards and sweets at Christmas.

Miss Farrar has just started at New Earswick this term, after six years as headteacher at Langton Primary School, near Malton.

Brought up in Huntington, she was formerly deputy head at Skelton Primary School, and said she was enjoying it at New Earswick and was glad to be back in York.

Anyone interested in lollipop work can ring for an information pack on 01904 554369 or telephone Marion on 07909 685095.

Updated: 10:17 Saturday, January 27, 2001