A village school’s lollipop man is to stay at his post after an estate agent stepped in to sponsor him.

The Comet: St Paul's Walden lollipop man Andrew Dilley at his post. Picture: Country PropertiesSt Paul's Walden lollipop man Andrew Dilley at his post. Picture: Country Properties (Image: Archant)

St Paul’s Walden Primary School, near Hitchin, had been set to lose its road crossing patrolman Andrew Dilley after Herts County Council withdrew funding for the ‘lollibus’.

Country Properties, based in Hitchin, stepped in to sponsor Mr Dilley so he could continue – with his uniform now emblazoned with the firm’s logo.

The sponsorship is worth £1,200 a year.

Company director Pam Dewhurst said: “When we were approached by the school telling us that they were losing their road crossing patrol we felt that the village couldn’t lose something so important to the safety of the children.”

School head Louise Phillips thanked Country Properties on behalf of the pupils and parents. She added: “The safety of our children is paramount and we are hugely appreciative of the sponsorship Country Properties have been able to provide.”

The county council said it had withdrawn funding as attempts to recruit a second lollibus volunteer had failed, and there was not enough traffic outside the school to meet council criteria for a patrol.