Delia Mills first started crossing children over the road outside Belle Vue Primary School in Wordsley in 1977, when Hot Chocolate were chart-toppers with “So You Win Again” and Ford Cortinas were all the rage.

Forty years on, she is still there – and plans to carry on for a good few years more yet. Staff and pupils at the school presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a commemorative vase to mark the occasion this week.

Delia, now 74, started with the school crossing service on July 11, 1977. She was initially employed and trained by the police and stayed in post when Dudley Council took over the running of school crossing patrols in 1989.

Delia has been helping generations of children at Belle Vue cross the road safely. Some of the children from the early days of her career are all grown-up and Delia is now crossing their children safely to school.

Over the years, traffic has increased but Delia has stood on her site ensuring the safe passage of the children to and from school. Delia Mills, school crossing patrol officer, said:

“I love my job, it’s so wonderful to see the children every day, they always make me smile.

“The roads are definitely busier than when I started, and sometimes I have to stand my ground, but it’s all worth it to cross the children and their families safely. I’m now crossing the children of children I helped get to school in the 70s and 80s. I really feel part of the Wordsley community.”

David Porter, headteacher at Belle Vue Primary, said:

“Delia is a Belle Vue institution, she’s always here, come rain or shine and it makes our spirits lift to see her.

“Delia does a wonderful job and is respected and loved by staff, parents, and children. We’re very lucky to have Delia on our patch.”

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental services, said:

“Delia has been keeping children and families safe as they cross the road on their way to school for decades.

“Delia’s job is a hugely rewarding one, she has become a much-loved part of the Wordsley community and we are always on the look-out for more dedicated and friendly people like Delia to join the service.”