LOLLIPOP ladies and men who have been helping children get to school safely for the last 50 years met up for a special party yesterday.

Around 75 patrol officers - three-quarters of Worcestershire's lollipop force - turned up to celebrate their organisation's half-century party at County Hall.

Worcester MP Mike Foster and Coun Edward Sheldon, chairman of Worcestershire County Council, were just some of the people who joined them.

As well as a buffet spread, the lollipop ladies and men tucked into a five-foot long cake in the shape of a school patrol crossing sign.

Jean Birbeck, the longest-serving lollipop lady in South Worcestershire, with 32 years' service for Redhill CE Primary School, Worcester, was invited to cut the cake.

Lollipop people were also presented with a gold medal and a Royal Worcester commemorative plate with a gold "50" in the middle of it.

Meg Millichip, from St Peter's, has been patrolling for Kempsey Primary School for six years.

She said the children at the school know her name and had given her sweets, cards and flowers.

"I had one Christmas card saying: 'You've always got a happy face - even when it's snowy, raining, ice or fog.' It was lovely," said the 52-year-old.

Roger Woodward, the county council's road safety officer, said he hoped to hold a similar get-together once a year.

"This is the first time we've managed to get a large number of patrol officers under one roof in Worcestershire," he said.

"This was not only to mark 50 years but to show we care."