A lollipop man from West Belfast has spoken about the "lovely memories" he has of working in the community for over 23 years.
Peter McDevitt is the lollipop man at John Paul II Primary School on the Whiterock Road, and has seen generations of children coming through the school.
The dad-of-seven was asked to take on the role for a few weeks after the school's previous lollipop lady retired. However, he enjoyed it so much he's stayed in the job ever since.
Read more: Belfast cafe launches clothing appeal and market to fund free breakfast club
Last week, Peter won a Northern Ireland Road Safety Award for Lollipop Person of the Year, after being nominated by the principal and teachers at John Paul II Primary School.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Peter said he loves his job and looks forward to it every day, and was honoured to win the award.
"I first started at St Aidan's before it amalgamated to St Bernadette's. I've got seven children, five boys and two girls. They've all been through St Aidan's and John Paul while I've been the school lollipop man," he said.
"Back when my kids were young in the school, one of the lollipop ladies retired. The school secretary asked me would I do it for a few weeks just until they find someone, and I'm still here 23 years later.
"I love going up every morning, and speaking to all the parents, getting all the wee ones across and making sure they get home safe. It's a brilliant school and the kids are brilliant, they're all just a bunch of happy wee kids.
"The downfall of the job is the weather. You're getting the rain, wind and snow coming off the Black Mountain on top of you. So you're always well hopped up here."
Peter, who lives just a few doors down from the school, said one of his favourite parts of the job is getting to know the families he comes across each day. Now, he's seeing people he once helped to school as children coming back each day with their own kids.
He added: "The amount of people I've met over the 23 years is unbelievable. I've seen the kids all come and go, and now they're coming back with their own kids.
"Even one of my own sons, he's 29, and I would still talk to his friends and they tell me they still remember when I would bring them across to school. It's just lovely memories."
On his recent award win, Peter said he's "chuffed" and dedicated the award to the children and teachers at the primary school.
"The award was done through the school's principal, Mr Hunter. They had to do an essay into the Road Safety Awards and the judges had to pick through all of those, and mine came up top trump," Peter explained.
"I knew nothing about it until about three days before it, when I got a letter from the principal to say I had to go pick up an award.
"The award win isn't just for me but for all the kids and teachers at John Paul, as well as for all the lollipop men throughout Northern Ireland as well."
READ NEXT:
- Belfast woman's fear for dad's health after surgery cancellation
- Belfast children's centre plea for support with Christmas donation drive
- 'It's a big help': Belfast group's lunch club for pensioners reducing isolation
- New Special Olympics football club launched in Belfast
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.