Festive lollipop lady ban over health and safety

A lollipop lady has been banned from wearing festive fancy dress because of safety fears.

Margaret Russell, 54, has delighted pupils, parents and motorists in Millbrook, Southampton, for two decades as she collects for charity.

But after a complaint by two parents, the city council said she could not take children across the road unless she wore her reflective coat.



Mrs Russell, a grandmother who is collecting for the mayor of Southampton's appeal fund, said: "I was pretty cheesed off when they told me because I'd spent a lot of time and effort on this year's costume. Why am I suddenly a health and safety risk?"

Over the years Mrs Russell has raised thousands of pounds outside Tanners Brook Middle and Infant Schools but is not expecting much this year in her normal uniform.

You can see some of Mrs Russell's previous costumes here.