A school crossing patroller has been seeing children safely across the road for a record 40 years - and was recognised with a special assembly. 

Christine Walker has been keeping three generations of pupils in West Wycombe safe throughout her long career. 

On Monday, past and present pupils gathered at the village school to help celebrate her achievement, along with councillors and teachers. 

Around 50 former pupils, spanning Christine’s 40 years as school crossing patroller, turned up as she came on shift at 8.15am to ask her to see them across the busy road one more time. 

They had all responded to a social media post by West Wycombe mother Susie Chester, a pupil form 1989 to 1996, who used to cross the road with Christine’s help. 

Susie said: “Forty years keeping children safe is an anniversary we just couldn’t miss.”

Among the grown-ups was grandmother Phyl Stallwood whose three grandchildren Christine is now seeing across the road.

At a special assembly attended by former head teacher Mick Cusden, current head Abi Preston presented Christine with gifts from parents, and Year 6 pupils Laila Cato and Charlotte Moore presented her with flowers.

There were also flowers from Sir Edward Dashwood Bt, of the West Wycombe Estate.

Mark Shaw, deputy leader and transport cabinet member at Bucks County Council, thanked Christine for her long service and presented her with a bouquet. 

He said: “Christine’s service is a remarkable achievement. I’m deeply indebted to her for caring so much about the safety of West Wycombe’s children for so many years, and I’m sure the village joins me in thanking her.”

Christine’s 40 years will be celebrated again later in the spring when she attends a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace.

When Christine turned up for duty for the first time on February 18, 1978, there was no formal training, apart from the guiding hand of a duty policeman and the watchful eye of the headmaster.

Her first week was almost her last, thanks to a dramatic brush with a motorbike. 

She said: “I was stopping the traffic when one of the mums shouted at me to ‘jump’. 

“I just missed being run over by a motorbike.”

Christine’s favourite memories are of warm, friendly villagers who wave to her from their cars, children who bring her Easter eggs, and gifts at Christmas. 

“These are the little things that make you feel so appreciated,” she said.

And in the weeks before Christmas, Christine writes cards for all the children she sees across the road, and brings a basket of sweets to distribute.

But some memories she would like to forget. “Sometimes I get missiles thrown at me - coins, biscuits, and other things, but you just have to take these things in your stride.

“I do the job because it’s about keeping children safe on our busy roads,” said Christine. 

“I love meeting interesting people, and over the years I’ve developed friendships in the village. I still keep in touch by letter with some of those who’ve moved away.”

Retirement could not be further from Christine’s mind. Having taken over four decades ago from her mother-in-law, Olive Walker, who was the village patroller for more than 10 years, she’s determined to continue serving West Wycombe for many years to come.