West Dunbartonshire Council's 'health and safety' guidelines mean that Nikosana Mdikane, 73, must stop singing, dancing and high-fiving children.

 

In a statement, West Dunbartonshire Council said: "All patrollers are instructed when crossing children over a road to remain static with one hand on their stick and the other stretched outwards. This ensures that they can be seen and effectively provides a barrier between school pupils and the traffic."

They added: "This is national guidance and has been the case for a number of years."

But local parents hit back at the heavy-handed rules - and last week father David Dufton started Facebook campaign "Save The High Fives" that has attracted almost 3000 people, and a petition that has gained over 1000 signatures.

They claim that Mdikane - who began work as a lollipop man in 2013 - is a 'local celebrity,' and that bus drivers regularly detour so schoolkids can see him in action.

Speaking to the BBC: "Because our children want to go and see him [Nkosana Mdikane] they all cross at the pedestrian crossing, rather than anywhere else on the road, so he's keeping our children safe.

"Also because he's such a 'larger than life' character the cars pay more attention too."

Mr Dufton admitted that Mdikane had been "quite down about the whole thing," but insisted that the parents stand firmly behind him.

 

Here is a video of 'Scotland's happiest lollipop man'.