December 11, 200718 yr Scrooge health and safety chiefs ban lollipop lady's Xmas fancy dress of 20 years Last updated at 12:05pm on 11th December 2007 Comments A lollipop lady who has worn festive fancy dress for the past 20 years was today banned from dressing up by her council bosses who fear it could be a health and safety risk. Margaret Russell has worn Christmas costumes every year while attending her crossing to raise money for the Mayor of Southampton's charity. But this year Southampton City Council has stopped the 54-year-old grandmother from wearing her costume of a Christmas bell because it prevents her from wearing reflective clothing. However, the local authority did allow her to wear it for one day with her boss standing in to patrol the crossing for her. Mrs Russell told the Southern Daily Echo: "I can see the council's point but it makes you think why now after I've been doing this for 20 years. It just seems a bit daft." A spokeswoman for Southampton City Council said: "Our crossing patrol manager undertook crossing patrol duties today while Mrs Russell dressed up and collected money for charity. "Mrs Russell could not have carried out her usual crossing duties because she was not wearing her reflective clothing. It is against the law not to do so. "The safety of staff and members of public is of the utmost importance to Southampton City Council. "If a crossing patrol supervisor does not wear a reflective jacket, they would be less visible to oncoming vehicles. "The crossing patrol supervisor would be uninsured if hit by a motorist and the motorist could not be prosecuted. "However, in the true spirit of Christmas we have made every effort to ensure Mrs Russell raised funds for charity again this year."
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