A dedicated lollipop man has said he has no plans to retire, as he continues to keep children safe on their way to and from school at the age of 80.

Tranent resident Graham McKinlay is the dedicated school crossing guide at Waterloo Road, near Windygoul Primary School.

He makes sure that children safely cross the road to and from school and was thanked for his efforts with a special hamper just before Christmas.

He said: “I’ve been working at the school for about seven years now.

“I tried retiring when I was 67 but I just got so bored that I only lasted about a year before needing something to keep me busy. I then went on to work as a carer at ELCAP before working as a lollipop man.

“I love doing what I do and working with the kids. They’re all great and all chat to me, which is amazing.

“I want to carry on as long as I’m healthy. I have no plans to give it up any time soon.”

East Lothian Courier: Graham McKinlay is still working hard as a lollipop man at 80 years old

Prior to his role as a school crossing guide, Graham spent time as a miner, was in the Merchant Navy and also spent time being self-employed, building garden sheds and fences.

Graham said: “I’ve never been out of a job all my life. I’ve done a lot of different things but I’ve always been working hard.

“I like to keep busy and working helps me do that.”

Graham, who grew up in Elphinstone, is a former Ross High School pupil and stays in Tranent with Janet, his wife of 58 years.

They have three children, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He said: “It’s a big family and that helps keep me busy too.

“Looking after the great-grandchildren keeps me busy and I love spending time with them. We’re very lucky to have a really nice family.”

Graham’s hard work was rewarded at Christmas when he was gifted a hamper by Tranent’s Co-op Funeralcare, after a public vote.

Graham said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was given the hamper, it was lovely.

“The lady just came up to me and said ‘this is for you’ and I said she must have made a mistake but then she explained that I was given it for my work at the school.

“I was delighted.

“It’s not often in life you get rewarded for things so that was really great.”

Lee Rollo Stewart, funeral director at the business, said: “It was great to give him the hamper to recognise the work he has done in the community.

“Graham was so humble about receiving it as well and got quite emotional.

“These hampers are just a small token of thanks which recognise the hard work of the community throughout the year. It is great to say thanks to so many local heroes.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson added: “Graham McKinlay has been a school crossing guide for seven years.

“He is a valuable member of the team and is reliably out on shift during all weathers, and is a caring and friendly person who is popular with both the adults and children who cross with him.”