AN 84-year-old lollipop man is celebrating serving the community for 18 years.

Ron Hilton, of Rayleigh, has become a popular figure as he helps youngsters on the way to Grove Wood Primary School cross the busy Grove Road.

Not only is Ron a hit with the community, he is also an inspiration to his own family.

When Grove Wood Primary School held its recent hero fancy dress day, his great granddaughter Annaliese Cuthbert, five, of Thundersley, dressed as Ron for the day.

Annaliese said the lollipop man is a real hero as he can stop traffic.

Her mum, Sinead Cuthbert, 25, said: “We had to adapt a children’s police officer’s outfit for her to wear, so we had to be pretty artistic and creative.

“It is such a lovely idea.

“She loves dressing up as princesses and in anything sparkly and girly.

“Everyone loved it at her school and Ron has become such a big part of the community.

“Ron was over the moon that she dressed up as him - he was quite emotional and a bit surprised.

“We are all so proud of what she has done.

“My other children have been dressing in the costume and acting out being lollipop men in our garden at home.”

The school also recognised Ron’s dedication to his work.

Richard Green, headteacher at the school said: “Ron is such a huge part of the Grove Wood School community.

“Children, parents and grandparents love him and visitors to the school often mention the warm welcome they received from Ron even before reaching the school gates.

“He rightly deserves all of the attention and awards that he has received over the years and it is great to see a genuinely lovely man being recognised for doing a fantastic job.

“We look forward to him standing on the Grove Road crossing for years to come!”