A POPULAR and long-serving lollipop man has died after a battle with cancer.

Ted Feathers worked on the zebra crossing between Churchfields Infants and Junior Schools in South Woodford. He passed away this morning (July 16) at the age of 82.

Mr Feathers, of Maldon Walk in Woodford Green, had worked on the crossing for the last 16 years, and took up the position to keep himself busy after retiring as a delivery driver.

In October last year the Guardian reported that great-grandfather-of-three Mr Feathers was honoured for his hard work with a Safer Communities Extra Commitment Award by Redbridge Council.

Headteacher of Churchfields Infants School, Lesley Hook, said: “We were all very saddened to at the passing of Ted. All the children and staff were very upset.

“He will be sorely missed and will be almost irreplaceable I think, because he was such an important part of the school team.

“He was loved by all the children and was a very important part of their lives for many years.”

David Jack, of St Albans Crescent, who has a daughter at the infants school, said: “He was one of the most positive and happy people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.

“He also knew the name of every single child at both the Infants and Junior school, which for a guy of his age was remarkable.

“He was of an older generation who never thought of themselves and always thought of others.

“I hope the school can do something to remember him, perhaps a memorial bench, or even an award named after him to recognise community-minded young people.”

Mr Feathers also used to judge drawing competitions at the schools' summer fêtes, and was well-known throughout the local community. He was due to attend an end-of-year event at the Infants school with his wife Olive, also 82, at the end of next week.

Toby Walne, who lived in South Woodford and was a parent at the school until recently, said: “It's very sad because he was a genuinely lovely guy.

“He knew every child's name and I think that's really important. He represented that link in the community between the young and the elderly. They all loved him”

Did you know Mr Feathers and would like to pay tribute to him? Contact Guardian reporter James Ranger on 07795 316 211 or email jranger@london.newsquest.co.uk.