A bridge in Sefton has been locally renamed after a much loved ‘lollipop man,’ who spent 23 years making sure schoolchildren crossed it safely.

Arthur Snellgrove, a long time welcoming face for thousands of pupils at St Benedict’s Primary in Netherton, died peacefully at home in early January, 2022.

Every morning and afternoon a smiling Arthur would greet hundreds of schoolchildren as they crossed the canal swing bridge on St Oswald’s Lane, Netherton.

Now that same bridge has been officially locally renamed ‘Arthur’s Bridge’ in honour of the Sefton Council school crossing patrolman.

Arthur’s daughters Julie and Trisha were joined by dozens of friends, neighbours, schoolchildren and officers from both Sefton Council and the Canal & River Trust for the unveiling of two plaques, which will now adorn the swing bridge.

Julie said: “I want to thank everyone for this beautiful tribute. Arthur loved everyone and everyone loved him back.

“It’s such an honour that Sefton Council, the Canal & River Trust and the community have done this for us.

“My dad would have been so made up if he was here today to see this.

“He was an amazing man and an amazing dad who would do anything for anyone and he is sorely missed by all of us.”

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Arthur started on his lollipop patrol in September of 1999 and without fail made the trip between his home and St Benedict’s School for the next 23 years, four times a day.

“Not only will he be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues but there are generations of families in South Sefton who will fondly remember Arthur as the ever-smiling face of St Benedict’s.

“We are delighted to have been able to work with the Canal & River Trust and the community to ensure Arthur’s legacy lives on with ‘Arthur’s Bridge.’

“There are parents in Sefton who Arthur will have helped cross this bridge safely back when they were in primary school and they will have since waved their children off to start their school day knowingly confidently that they were in Arthur’s safe hands.

“He was ever present with a wave and a smile to parents, children and motorists and was extremely popular with all who knew him.

“Even at the young age of 87 he would ride his bike back and forth to his crossing from home four times a day!”

As well as serving as a Sefton School Crossing Patrolman for 23 years, Arthur was a local celebrity in his beloved hometown.

Chosen as the main guest of honour at the Netherton Activity Centre to kickstart a dazzling fireworks display in 2019, Arthur proved he was just the right man to make Sefton sparkle again and again.

Later that same year, for the Sefton Borough of Culture celebrations, Arthur, with his trusty lollipop, officially switched on the Parabolic Light Cloud Installation in front of huge crowds.

He sadly passed away peacefully at home in January, 2022.