COME rain or shine Hampshire’s top lollipop man always has a smile for the children he helps safely across the road.

David Cottrell, 70, has won a county council competition to find the favourite school crossing patrol of the year.

The former sheet metal worker patrols the busy Botley Road/Pavilion Close junction near Fair Oak Infant and Junior School twice daily.

Mr Cottrell, who attended the same school as a boy, said: “It is incredible. I can’t believe it. I love the job because I like meeting people and working with children.”

He was nominated by dozens of parents and pupils.

To find out which other lollipop men and women were honoured see today's Daily Echo