Two of Cornwall’s longest serving school crossing patrols swapped their hi vis jackets and lollipops for the lights, camera and action of national TV after being invited to appear on ITV’s Paul O’Grady Show.

Having clocked up 29 and 25 years’ service respectively, Margaret Bray from Hayle and Kaye Ellis from St Stephen were asked to appear on the show to mark the 60th anniversary of the School Crossing Patrol service and help promote National Road Safety week.

Popular entertainer Michael Ball stepped in to host the programme after Paul O’Grady was taken ill on the day, becoming an honorary School Crossing Patrol for a segment of the show after Kaye and Margaret gave him some on the job training.

Despite receiving the star treatment, including a night in a central London hotel, Margaret and Kaye have not let their 15 minutes of fame change them. The pair are now back on patrol, making sure youngsters from Penpol School in Hayle and St Stephen Churchtown School cross the road safely.

“It was a brilliant experience,” said Margaret.

“Everyone we met was lovely to us and they all seemed to have been to Cornwall on holiday, including the taxi driver at Paddington. I’ve been kept very busy since though, as all the children at Penpol School want my autograph.”

“I can’t fault how we were treated,” added Kaye. “We felt and were treated like ‘Big Stars’.”

Jean-Paul Mallard, school crossing patrol coordinator, said: “It was pleasing that patrols from Cornwall were chosen as representative of School Crossing Patrols across the country and that their long service to the community was marked in this way. Thank you and well done Kaye and Margaret!”