HE has been a friendly face to thousands of youngsters on their way to school for the past 20 years.

But at the age of 84, Edinburgh's oldest lollipop man has guided his last group of children safely across busy Holy Corner.

David Rintoul has finally decided to hang up his bright yellow coat and giant lollipop stick, marking the end of an era for pupils at Bruntsfield Primary School.

But while he would be forgiven for putting his feet up and taking it easy, Mr Rintoul plans to spend his days weight training in the gym and going to dances with his wife Dorothy.

He has a list of things he wants to do during his retirement, including visiting his son and daughter-in-law and their new baby in Marseilles and doesn't intend to "fade away". The grandfather-of-two has been a lollipop man since he retired from his job in the council's highways department when he was 65.

While most lollipop men and women retire at 75, Mr Rintoul's contract allowed him to stay on for as long as he wanted.

Mr Rintoul, from Prestonfield, is looking forward to starting "another phase of life". He said: "When I retired, I didn't like doing nothing, which is why I took the job on the crossing.

"I was still under a police contract from when they used to run the crossing guides and under that contract I could stay working past 75. I have hardly had any time off from working in my life, but now I'll be able to take my wife to afternoon dances.

"And I'm going to go back to weight lifting because the last time I was at the gym I was 76 and I want to keep active. If you don't, you just fade away."

But the World War Two veteran admits he will miss the job he has been doing for the past 20 years.

He said: "I have met a lot of different types of people and got to know them. There's a couple of mums that I used to take over the road, and now I'm taking their kids across.

"I will miss being out and about and seeing everyone, and I will miss the kids a lot. But my wife keeps telling me I shouldn't be doing that job in the cold, so I've decided it's time to stop."

And the school is going to miss its lollipop man just as much. On his last day, it organised a special assembly for him, and the teachers held a little party for him in the staff room.

He finished his shift laden with presents and cards from the children.

The city council also plans to have a presentation for Mr Rintoul to thank him for his years of service to the community.

Bruntsfield headteacher Carol Kyle said Mr Rintoul will be greatly missed by all the pupils, teachers, parents and the local community.

She said: "He is a tremendous advert for healthy living and keeping fit. He has been a great support for the school and has a fantastic relationship with all the children who love him dearly."