A bridge that sees dozens of school children cross every day has been renamed in honour of a former lollipop man.
Arthur Snellgrove was a dedicated and beloved lollipop man who, for 23 years every morning and afternoon, greeted children from St Benedict's Primary in Netherton on the canal swing bridge on St Oswald's Lane. The 87-year-old died "peacefully" on Saturday, January 8.
The dad of five has now had the same bridge he manned for more than 20 years renamed in a touching tribute to the tireless work he did for Sefton Council. Arthur's daughters Julie and Trisha were joined by dozens of friends, neighbours, schoolchildren and officers from both Sefton Council and the Canal & River Trust for the unveiling of two plaques, which will now adorn the swing bridge.
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Julie said: "I want to thank everyone for this beautiful tribute. Arthur loved everyone and everyone loved him back. It's such an honour that Sefton Council, the Canal & River Trust and the community have done this for us.
"My dad would have been so made up if he was here today to see this. He was an amazing man and an amazing dad who would do anything for anyone and he is sorely missed by all of us."
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: "Arthur started on his lollipop patrol in September of 1999 and without fail made the trip between his home and St Benedict's School for the next 23 years, four times a day. Not only will he be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues but there are generations of families in South Sefton who will fondly remember Arthur as the ever-smiling face of St Benedict's.
"We are delighted to have been able to work with the Canal & River Trust and the community to ensure Arthur's legacy lives on with 'Arthur's Bridge.' There are parents in Sefton who Arthur will have helped cross this bridge safely back when they were in primary school and they will have since waved their children off to start their school day knowingly confidently that they were in Arthur's safe hands.
"He was ever-present with a wave and a smile to parents, children and motorists and was extremely popular with all who knew him. Even at the young age of 87 he would ride his bike back and forth to his crossing from home four times a day."
