Bushey lollipop lady takes pet cat to Highwood Primary

Klara Remmington, 45, and five-year-old Bandit, work a crossing together at Highwood Primary School every weekday morning and afternoon during the school year.

The cat started tagging along a few months ago and is now a regular fixture - especially in the rain.

Klara, who has been a lollipop lady for eight years, said primary school children and parents love Bandit.Five-year-old Bandit joins lollipop lady Klara at a Bushey primary school. (Image: SWNS) All the children are on a first-name basis with the cat, according to the lollipop lady, and drivers find it "hysterical" that he crosses following behind the kids.

At the end of the last academic year, Klara and Bandit received a number of cards from the kids to thank them for all their help.

The 45-year-old said: "We're at the stage now before a new term to see whether he still enjoys it or not - I hope he keeps coming.

"He comes out almost every day, there's the occasional moment when he isn't around out gallivanting. But he loves coming out when it's raining but not the sun."

Bandit's new job as a lollipop cat was the outcome of a falling out with one of his six feline brothers.

From left: Klara Remmington, 45, Elena Michalczuk, 11, Amy Brooks,11, Cordelia Donald, 9, and Grace Pratt, 10, with Bandit the cat. (Image: SWNS) Klara said: "We have six cats at home and Bandit and this other cat have never got on.

"I was worried someone else was feeding him as he was never home.

"He came home out of the blue and we decided we'd keep him home so we could monitor him and look after him.

Highwood Primary children are on a first name basis with Bandit the cat. (Image: SWNS) "We'd built a cage for our other cat who was a bit aggressive towards Bandit but it turned out that our other cat hated it and wouldn't go near it.

"So it worked out perfectly as Bandit decided that he actually liked going in the cage and it was his safe space.

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"Bandit became more of a house cat and I don't know whether he felt like we didn't trust him if he went out on his own but he then eventually felt like he could come out with us and that's how he ended up joining me.

"Now we trust him fully to go in and out!"

Bandit the cat started joining Klara a few months ago. (Image: SWNS) Bandit has certainly made quite the impression with children and other cats.

Klara said: "When he first started coming out there was a few heart-in-mouth moments when he didn't understand that he wasn't supposed to go into the road!

"There was a moment where he was inches away from some car wheels - he's risked a few of his nine lives.

"Now he's got the idea.

"There was a moment where some year one's were crossing with me and Bandit decided that would be a prime opportunity to catch a bird and one of the little boys said 'why did he do that?'

"Stupidly, he then spat it out and the bird flew away anyway.

"There's also another cat that lives near the crossing who really likes Bandit and she always wants to play with him and they end up chasing each other around the road.

"I think he's got a girlfriend!"