Time to nominate your favourite lollipop person

The national Kwik Fit Insurance Lollipop Person of the Year campaign aims to recognise the role lollipop people play in local road safety. And local Alliance councillor, Stewart Dickson has backed the campaign and urged primary schools in East Antrim to get involved.

Mr Dickson, who is also chairman of Carrickfergus District Policing Partnership, said: "This campaign highlights the important role our crossing patrol staff play in our community and I am encouraging every school in the area to take this opportunity to celebrate their local lollipop person.

“As someone who has previously campaigned successfully with parents and teachers to ensure that crossing patrols were retained at a number of locations, I know just how important they are to parents, children and teachers. Roads are becoming increasingly busy and as long as children walk to school, we absolutely have to recognise the vital job carried out by lollipop people in helping pupils safely across the road."

Last year's winning lollipop man - from Paisley in Scotland - enjoyed a holiday of a lifetime, whilst the children and staff of the local primary school created a new community garden with their 3000 prize money.

Nominations for the Kwik Fit Insurance Lollipop Person of the Year Awards 2010 will close on Friday, November 19. More information and entry details can be found at www.bestlollipop.co.uk