A woman who devoted four decades of her life to helping children from a Norwich school cross the road safely, has died at the age of 90.

Sybil 'Betty' Boweren was named Lollipop Lady of the Year in 1992 and made an MBE for her services to the community in 1993 for her work at Heartsease First and Primary School.

'The children loved her – she was kind, caring and always had sweets,' said her younger son, Vaughan Griggs.

'When she was named Lollipop Lady of the Year in 1992, she won dozens of ice lollies and immediately gave them to the children at the school.

'She used to live opposite the school and every day she would allow children to leave their bicycles in her back garden so that they were safe.'

She was extremely popular during her time as lollipop lady at Heartsease, having first started working as the crossing guard for the school back in 1964.

Mr Griggs, 54, of Norwich, added: 'She was a wonderful person and head of the family. She came from a country background before moving to Norwich in the 1950s.

'She was so selfless and always thinking of others before herself.

'She would give you the last mouthful of food from her plate if you wanted it and would never take the last cake off the plate.'

When the school was replaced by a primary academy in the early 2000s, one factor that remained a constant was Betty, who continued to help children across the road.

She retired from her post in 2005 after more than 40 years as the school's lollipop lady.

At the time she insisted that given the opportunity, she would not have changed a thing.

'If I was younger and had the chance to do it again, I would definitely do it – it has been lovely,' she enthused.

Betty, who died on August 24, was married to Albert, who died in 1994, and was the much-loved mother-of-two to Robert and Vaughan.

She was also grandmother to Stephanie, Chris and Sharon, and great-grandmother to Connor, Courtney, Kyle and Greg.

Her funeral is to be held at St Faith's Crematorium on Wednesday, September 9, at 1.15pm. Flowers can be sent to Kevin Cobbold Funeral Directors on Sprowston Road, Norwich.

Do you remember Betty? Email your stories to david.hannant@archant.co.uk