Tributes have been paid to a pensioner who was one of Britain's oldest lollipop men.

Until he retired five years ago, Bill Thomas was a popular fixture at Hempstead Infant School in Medway.

The much-loved staff member was even crowned the best lollipop man in the South East because of the rapport he had with the kids.

The great grandfather, who finally hung up his hi-vis jacket after 11 years in the role, died last month. He was 89.

The school's deputy head teacher, Lynne McCann, worked with Mr Thomas for six years before he retired.

She said: "He was an absolute gentleman and everyone in the Hempstead community knew him.

"The kids absolutely loved him as he would just brighten up their day, they really adored him and he really adored them too.

"Whenever they saw him, I am not sure who was more excited them, or Bill.

"In fact, when he was out and about in Hempstead, if any children spotted him they'd be shouting 'It's Bill, it's Bill'."

"He really was so important to our school, just a lovely, lovely man."

Miss McCann says a staff collection in his memory has already yielded several hundred pounds.

They're considering a plaque in his honour and possibly a squirrel – the school emblem – carved into an oak tree in his memory.

She added: "He really was so important to the school and he'd always be out there come rain or shine."

When Mr Thomas, who lived in nearby Pine Grove, Hempstead, retired, a special assembly was held in his honour.

Speaking at the time, he said: “The best part of being a lollipop man is all of the children.

“They are all kind and good to me. I retired from the Post Office after 23 years. I was always up early and my daughter said Hempstead were looking for a lollipop man.

“I know all the children but I can’t remember all their names so I call them all ‘Snowball’. I had a mum tell me after her son left school it meant the world to him, being called Snowball.”

The funeral will take place on December 22.

Read more: all the latest news from Medway