TWO lollipop ladies who ensure children in Hatherleigh make it to school safely each day are being awarded long service awards by Devon County Council next week.

The county council is paying tribute to its army of school crossing patrols, including Mary Saunders and Jacky Duncan from Hatherleigh.

Mrs Saunders will be presented with a special retirement award for 26 years of service as a lollipop lady outside Hatherleigh Community Primary School.

Mrs Saunders carried on working into her seventies before retiring in May, when she was presented with a painting of the school, a book of self-portraits made by the children and flowers at a special ceremony at the school.

Mrs Duncan will receive a bronze award for five years? service on the crossing patrol at the school.

The presentation of the long service awards will be held at the Devon Drivers? Centre, Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, next Wednesday, July 23.

Devon County Council vice-chairman Cllr Michael Lee will present certificates and bronze, silver, diamond and platinum badges to mark the completion of service ranging from five to 25 years.

Cllr Lee said: ?On behalf of Devon County Council, I wish to thank the patrols for their hard work and dedication and for turning out, whatever the weather, to ensure thousands of Devon schoolchildren get to and from school safely.

?The contribution and commitment shown by each individual school crossing patrol is remarkable and I am delighted to play a part in recognising their achievements.?