Churchill Insurance has announced the winners of its inaugural National Lollipopper Awards, honouring the amazing, hard working Lollipop men and women across the UK keeping children safe on the school run.

Alison Hammond opened the nominations, allowing parents and children across the country, the chance to tell Churchill why their local Lollipopper should win one of four special awards: Bravest – for the Lollipopper that has shown courage and bravery on the crossing – Super Lollipopper!

Over and Above – the dedicated Lollipopper that goes beyond the call of duty to help children, parents, their school and the local community.

Entertainer – for the Lollipopper that always puts a smile on everyone's face – the life and soul of the crossing!

Kindest – for the Lollipopper with the biggest heart – generous, kind, caring and always on the crossing with a smile!

Lollipopper of the Year – the most prestigious award for the best all round Lollipopper.

After a tough decision by Churchill's expert judging panel; Alison Hammond, Churchie, Mike Bristow from road safety charity Brake, Emma Williams executive director at PTA UK and Carrie Longton co-founder of Mumsnet, the winners and highly commended shortlisted Lollipoppers have been announced.

Bravest – The Winner of the award goes to Elaine Hockley from St. George's Bickley CE Primary School in Bromley, London. The highly commended Lollipopper in the category was Samantha Martin.

Over and Above – The Winner of the award goes to Bettie Ealand from Tewkesbury CE Primary School in Gloucestershire. The highly commended Lollipoppers in the category were Patricia Lunney, Linda Robertson and Sarah Gabriel.

Entertainer – The Winner of the award goes to Herbie Lloyd from Battling Brook Primary School in Hinckley, Leicester. The highly commended Lollipoppers in the category were Carole Stokes and Sharon Salter.

Kindest – The Winner of the award goes to Linda Robertson from Morley Newlands Academy in Leeds. The highly commended Lollipoppers in the category were Martin Smith and Carole Stokes.

Lollipopper of the Year – The Winner of the award goes to Carole Stokes from Barwell Infant School in Leicester. The overall celebrated Lollipopper was chosen from the shortlist of the highly commended Lollipoppers.

Each of the four category winners received a bespoke Churchill Lollipopper Awards trophy to mark their achievement as well as a £500 holiday voucher to treat themselves to a well-deserved break during the upcoming school holidays.

On the winners, Alison Hammond said: "It's been a difficult decision to choose the overall category winners, as we had such a fantastic response from parents and children all keen to celebrate their hardworking Lollipoppers. I wish we could reward all of them for the time and effort they put into keeping our children safe on the school run!"

Elaine Hockley from St. George's Bickley CE Primary School in Bromley, London, has worked as a Lollipopper for four years and described receiving the honour of Bravest Lollipopper of the Year: "I'm absolutely shocked, thank you so much! I had no idea that I had been nominated, it is so nice that the school and all the children think so much of me I'm very honoured."

Mrs. Peyton, Head Teacher of St. George's Bickley CE Primary School said, "We are so proud and elated that Miss Hockley has been named the winner of the bravest lollypop lady, she is such an important part of our school!" The National Lollipopper Awards are part of Churchill Insurance's drive to improve safety on the school crossing by deploying more of the iconic crossing wardens. The campaign follows research by Road Safety Analysis in 2016 that over half (55%) of accidental child pedestrian casualties occur during the school run.

Lucy Brooksbank, head of marketing at Churchill, said; "The first Churchill Lollipopper of the Year awards have been a huge success with hundreds of nominations flooding in from across the country. We hope this will help highlight the value Lollipoppers bring to our communities and the hard work these incredible people do."

To support Churchill's Lollipopper camping and find out how you can become a Lollipopper, please visit: www.churchill.com/lollipoppers/awards Share the Lollipopper love on Twitter and Facebook by following @ChurchillTheDog and using #Lollipoppers or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ChurchillTheDog

Based on information supplied by Laura.