Like father, like son - emotional reunion brings surprise for Staffordshire pair

It was an occupation that Darren knew ran in the family as his wife, mother-in-law and adoptive mother were all lollipop ladies.

And during the emotional reunion with his father Paul Ferris it emerged that they both worked as lollipop men in Staffordshire based just 15 miles apart, but their paths had never crossed.

Darren, who lives in St John's Road, Cannock, said: "I couldn't believe it when he told me and at first I thought he must be joking.

"I told him that's what I did for a living.

"He'd actually just got the job when I met him after applying to Staffordshire County Council for the role. It already ran in the family for me."

Delighted

Father-of-five Darren, aged 47, who was given up for adoption at the age of three weeks managed to track Paul down about three years ago.

He continued: "I was told from a young age that I was adopted. My parents were great. I decided to look into tracking down my real parents when I was 18.

"I had Paul's details for about 25 years before I actually contacted him."

Darren decided to finally act when his adoptive father Peter died of cancer in 2009 at the age of 69, adding: "I thought it was time to put a face to the name.

"I don't think our paths would ever have crossed at work because I fill in when people are off sick."

Darren grew up in Wednesbury and moved to Cheslyn Hay with his parents as a teenager.

When he attended Park Hill Primary School, in Wednesbury, his mum Barbara Wardle, now aged 70, was the lollipop lady there for three years.

Before following the same career path, Darren worked in the double glazing industry for 25 years and then he moved into engineering.

Around four years ago he became a school crossing patrol supervisor providing cover for staff who may be on sick leave.

And his wife Mary, aged 43, landed the same role 12 months before him.

She currently works at Bridgtown Primary School, in North Street, Cannock, alongside her mum Rita Cotterell, aged 62.

Mrs Cotterell has been doing the same job for 30 years.

Paul, aged 63, who is originally from Edgbaston, in Birmingham, and who now lives in Tamworth, has been helping children cross the roads in the town for just over two years now.

He said: "I was obviously delighted to meet up with Darren, and we found it particularly amusing that after all that time we were both lollipop men. Like father, like son I guess."

Paul had an engineering background and took early retirement but it turned out life was a little too slow for him so he decided to look for work again.

He said: "I went down to the Job Centre and asked them how I could become a lollipop man. I wanted to do something worthwhile in the community. I love the job I do.

"I've worked with children before so it seemed a natural fit."

Paul lives with his wife Pat, and they have two daughters and two grandchildren. He works outside William MacGregor Primary School, in Glascote Road,Tamworth.

The pair attended a special event held at Staffordshire County Showground earlier this month to celebrate 60 years of lollipop men and women patrolling in the county.

More than 100 lollipop men and women gathered at the site, with their signs in hand. A tea party was held at the Stafford venue to mark the diamond anniversary.

County councillor Simon Tagg, who has responsibility for road safety in Staffordshire, said today: "It makes you wonder whether being a lollipop man might be in the blood.

"Paul and Darren are the guardians of our roads and like our other 321 patrol officers do a fantastic job in keeping our school children and parents safe."

The first official patrol in Staffordshire started work in 1953.

Staffordshire County Council has a total of 323 patrol officers working across the county.

The county's youngest school crossing patrol supervisor is aged 23.

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