Pretty choked' was the reaction of Edgware lollipop man Peter Johnson on being named the best in London.

Mr Johnson, 51, of Harcourt Avenue, a single father-of-four who has multiple sclerosis, was named London's lollipop man of the year.

He works on the crossing outside Broadfields Junior School in Broadfields Avenue, where his eight-year-old son Jake is a pupil.

"I'm pretty choked," he said, before explaining how he got started in his new vocation.

"When I was walking one morning, a mother and her child almost got hit by a van. We were all talking about it. Jake was with me.

"He said: Dad, you can do it.' I went home, had a cup of tea, and thought, why not?" he said.

"It was absolute chaos parents feel they have to park as close to the school as possible. I've had words with them, including two or three confrontations.

"They trust me enough now to drop their children off further away and let them walk, which is brilliant."

Acting headteacher David Griffiths said: "Peter is there come rain or shine and when he can't turn up he is devastated and really concerned about the children."

Councillor Brian Coleman, cabinet member for the environment, said: "If only we could hire more lollipop men and women. It's an ideal job for a parent or a grandparent."

There are vacancies for 14 more lollipop men and women in Barnet as well as the nine already working. For more information call Nick Baker on 020 8906 8028.

July 16, 2002 16:00