Lollipop lady welcomed back after bike accident

A much-loved Lancashire lollipop lady says she was was overwhelmed by supportive messages after a bicycle accident kept her away for weeks.

Rachel Cooper was cycling from a cleaning job at Thornton FC to her other job as a school crossing guide outside Stanah Primary School in Thornton-Cleveleys when her gears seized up and she came off her bike.

The 37-year-old landed heavily on her arm, but got back on her bike determined not to let down the children, parents and dogs she helps across Stanah Road.

It turned out she had fractured her elbow and it meant five and a half weeks off, prompting dozens of social media messages about how much she was missed.

Ms Cooper, a mum of one, is now set to return and said: "I can't wait to see my poppets.

"I've really missed being able to see them all."

Her absence certainly did not go un-noticed and one person said on a local chat group: "Oh we have missed your waves in the morning, Rachel Cooper – speedy recovery, love, take it easy."

Another said: "Hope you see this Rachel, we miss you."

Employed by Lancashire Council, she said she had always wanted to be a lollipop lady, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

"When I was a kid at Anchorsholme we all loved our lollipop lady and I wanted to be like her," she said.

"I've loved every minute of it since I started in February.

"Not only are do I help to keep the children safe when they cross the road, but I love to be a friendly face and cheer them up, especially if they are having a bad morning."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.