A beloved lollipop lady who served schools in Dumbarton for 36 years has said her tears were 'blinding her' as she bid farewell to her pupils.

Margaret Elliot, 71, has been safely getting kids to school on Cardross Road for three decades after an unexpected opportunity to fill in for another patroller.

When an unfortunate accident left a lollipop lady on Havoc Road with a broken wrist, Margaret filled in for her while she was off before being offered a permanent position on Cardross Road.

She said: "I got into being a lollipop lady by accident. Where I stay on Cardross Road, there were two lollipop ladies there at the time. This was before there were ever traffic lights.

"One of them fell and broke her wrist. I was told ‘She is going to be off for a while. Would you like to fill in for her?’

"Then I started filling in for anyone else that was off sick."

Margaret has been on Cardross Road for 36 yearsMargaret has been on Cardross Road for 36 years (Image: Supplied) Margaret has been fortunate to have a shorter commute after being offered a full-time role as she lives on Cardross Road, just a doorstep away from her work.

In anticipation of her retirement, she was invited to one of the schools for a special assembly to say thank you for her years of service.

She added: "I was so taken aback, the tears were blinding me. All these children got up on the stage and had something to say. 

"They said, 'We want to thank Ms Elliott for keeping us safe all these years.'

"The kids gave me chocolates and flowers, I was overwhelmed.

"I love the job. The kids are wonderful. I miss them more than anything."

During the summer holidays, Margaret used to pick up some sweets for the kids on her return.

She has prided herself on her years of service saying 'There were no accidents whilst I was there.'

Margaret was told in May this year that her position was no longer required as she was too close to traffic lights.

Sophie with her nanna when she turned 70Sophie with her nanna when she turned 70 (Image: Supplied) Her granddaughter, Sophie, says she will be 'missed' on the road.

She said: "It's always nice to hear her stories and because I went to the same school and my nanna was my lollipop lady.

"I'd always hear nice stories and I saw how much people would talk about her so highly.

"I think she will be missed out on the road."