A LOLLIPOP lady is swapping England's wintry climes for a life in the sun.

Jacqueline Parry, aged 40, of Penmark Close, Callands, has patrolled the crossing outside Callands Primary School for the past three and a half years.

On Friday, tearful pupils and parents wished her a fond farewell.

Head teacher Mrs Hamilton said: "The children bought her a big bouquet because they'll miss her and will be tremendously upset when she goes to Australia.

"She's dressed up as Pudsy bear and the Easter bunny and always remembers their birthdays."

Mum Georgina Baracskai said: "We're going to miss her because she is so kind to the children."

Jacqui said her family, husband Tony and twin boys Sean and Anthony, are looking forward to embracing the sporty lifestyle in Oz.

Jacqui said: "Moving to Adelaide will give my boys a better chance in life because they love sport. We chose Adelaide because it is very green like Scotland, where I'm from, but we're looking forward to having a lot less rain."

The family are being sponsored to move by the Australian government and have been given a house in the suburb Glenelg.

Jacqui said she has loved being a lollipop lady and hopes to be one again.

She said: "When we moved here four years ago I wasn't sure how to become a member of the community and then the school sent a letter home asking if anyone would like to do the school crossing and I thought why not."

Nick Iddon, school crossing patrol supervisor, said: "She is very well liked and we were lucky to find someone like her.

"It's often hard to find people wanting to do the job but as Jacqui shows, it can be good fun."