WHY did the Zebra cross the road? It might have been to chat with Chris Davis, a Westgate worker hailed as a hero for walking pedestrians across a dangerous street.

The 53-year-old stands at the building site with a smile on his face, waving to bus drivers and giving the thumbs-up to passers-by.

His job is to change the traffic lights at the bottom of Old Greyfriars Road, near Thames Street.

But he took it upon himself to walk people across the road like a lollipop man.

Mr Davis said: “I saw the crossing and how tricky it is. Children, senior citizens and everybody in between use it to get to work and school. It’s just dangerous, I don’t want to see anyone get hurt.

“I decided to start helping people across – anyone who needs that extra help and support. The kids are quite wonderful, very mannerly.”

Mr Davis, who commutes every morning from Tottenham, said he sees about 40 regular crossers every day.

He said: “There is a lady nearby who is from Trinidad and she sometimes brings me tea and cakes. One guy brought me a beer. It’s nice to be appreciated. A lot of people are starting to know who I am.

“It’s nice to have someone wish you a good morning. When I get up at 5am I would like someone to say it to me, but there is nobody there.

“We all need help sometimes along the line, be it crossing the road or anywhere else.”

Amy Baird sees Mr Davis every day when he eats breakfast where she works at the Swan and Castle pub.

The 32-year-old, from Headington, said: “When I walk to work he is really lovely helping me across. He is very chatty and friendly and always has a smile on his face.

“He is just a really lovely, gentle guy. He doesn’t just stand there and press the button. It definitely brightens up my day.”