A LOLLIPOP lady from Bridgwater has had a race at Wincanton races named after her.

Mary Williams, 70, has devoted her life to Hamp infant and junior schools, serving as a dinner lady, lollipop lady and school governor and clocking up 43 years' employment with Somerset County Council.

Her proud son Jamie felt his mum should have some recognition for her work and entered her into a national competition with Racing UK to win a VIP trip to the races with race named after her. He had to write in 100 words why she deserved to have a race named after her and was delighted when he discovered he had won.

As a result the Mary Williams of Bridgwater NH flat race was the last race at Wincanton on November 21.

The prize consisted of a five-star day at the races complete with a three-course champagne lunch for Mary and her husband Dave.

Mary said: “It was wonderful. We were treated like VIPs.

“I had to go out and pick the best turned-out horse and present the trophy to the winner of my race.”

The race named after the lollipop lady appeared in more than eight million newspapers across the UK.

Mary said: “People kept phoning up and asking 'is that your name in the paper'.”

Mary retired from the school eight years ago but still helps out.