A beloved lollipop man has retired after 21 years in the job.

Stan Silverston, aged 86, started as a crossing patrol officer in 1998 on Winchester Road in Highams Park, later moving to the crossing on the busy Kings Road outside the Chingford Church of England Primary School.

Hundreds of children, staff and parents gathered outside the school on Friday to say a grand thank you and farewell to Mr Silverston.

The adored crossing patrol officer has contended with wind, rain, snow, heatwaves and also traffic pollution and rude motorists.

Mr Silverston has said he will miss the children immensely and over the years has seen many grow into young adults, including his own grandchildren who went to the primary school.

His family have many links with the school, including his wife Ann who worked as a midday assistant there for 25 years and his daughter Sarah Lawrence who is a learning support assistant with the key stage one team.

He said: "The rude motorists, the traffic pollution and having to take holidays during school breaks."

He went on to say he has fond memories of the life-saving role and appreciates the kindness and generosity of parents and children with presents at Christmas time.

Pupils presented him with cards and gifts at their end of term church service at SS Peter and Paul on Chingford Green.

Head teacher Lindsey Lampard led the school in their thanks and appreciation for Stan.

She said: "You really care about all the children and we are going to miss you very much."

Mr Silverston recently helped the parents at the school launch a road safety campaign demanding Waltham Forest Council act to reduce the speed limit outside the school to 20mph and add traffic calming humps to slow the traffic down.

Waltham Forest Council met with the school and offered to train parents who wish to volunteer as a replacement crossing patrol.

The council additionally agreed to install vehicle activated road signs to advise drivers of the zebra crossing in May and conduct a pedestrian survey to establish whether a pelican crossing can be installed at this location, or alternatively a raised crossing.

It also added that as part of the commitment to the Mayors ‘Vision Zero’ the council has already planned to continue the roll out of 20mph speed limits to the remaining parts of the borough in the north.