Published: Wednesday, 17th June, 2009 6:04pm

Popular lollipop lady's MBE honour

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A POPULAR lollipop lady has been awarded an MBE in the Queen"s Birthday Honours List.

Lysbeth-Ann Ramsay, better known to everyone at Uplawmoor Primary as Libby, was nominated by villagers who have been impressed by her sense of duty and devotion in her 28 years as the school"s lollipop lady.

She started off her career patrolling the school crossing at just 17-years-old and is now one of East Renfrewshire"s longest patrollers.

Three years ago Libby received a special 25-year-award for long service with the council and now she will meet either the Queen or Prince Charles to receive the award which will add to her collection.

Libby said: 'I"m very excited and delighted. My late father, Robert, who was the village policeman, suggested that I should take up the job when I left school, and here I am 28 years later. I love all the children and getting them across the road safely is what I really enjoy.'

Mum Pat, 73, said: 'I"m immensely proud of Libby. She"s delighted and very excited and I would like to thank everyone who nominated her. It was very kind of them.

'If her Dad had been alive today, he would have been very proud.

'We don"t know yet if we"ll be called to Edinburgh or London to receive the award, but wherever it is, it will be a very special day.'

And one primary seven pupil, Cameron Dempster, had special words of praise for his lollipop lady.

The 11-year-old said: 'Everyone at the school loves Libby. She looks after us and knows us all. It"s been very exciting for us with photographers from newspapers, radio and TV all coming to our school to interview her.'

Head teacher Christine Wallace added: 'Libby is very much part of the school. We"re delighted for her and just as excited as she is about the MBE which she richly deserves.'

East Renfrewshire"s education convener, Councillor Alan Lafferty agrees with Christine.

He said: 'Libby is a superb example of public service excellence in action, turning out faithfully every day for 28 years in all weathers to see her charges safely across the road.

'I know that I speak for myself and each one of the four local councillors in the ward when I offer Libby my heartiest congratulations.'