Over 19,000 schoolchildren from all around the UK sent in photographs, painitings, drawings, poems, songs, raps and films to tell us all about their lollipop person and why they should be named the nation’s best.

After an extensive judging process, Scottish Lollipop man John Foley, who patrols the crossing at Bushes Primary School in Paisley, has been named as the 2009 Kwik Fit Insurance Lollipop Person of the Year.

The children at Bushes Primary School put in a tremendous effort in their nomination of John and were delighted to win the competition and the £3,000 prize. The pupils plan to spend the money on creating a community garden in the school – with John as Head Gardener!

John’s popularity at Bushes is second to none. He’s on first name terms with all the kids and has become more than just a lollipop person to the school. John finds time to help the dinner ladies set up the lunchtime tables and participates in all the school’s activities – including playing goalkeeper for their Beat the Goalie fundraiser! The judges were particularly impressed with the efforts of all at Bushes Primary in their nomination of John, the highlight being their tribute song to the tune of The Proclaimers hit, 500 miles, and also their hugely entertaining rap to the music of Robbie Williams Rock DJ. Well done Bushes!