West Oxford pensioner Len Ralphs, who became better known to his local community in the twilight of a long working career, has died. He was 77.

A keen bowler with the South Oxford Bowling Club in the late 60s and 70s, he was an energetic critic of the then Oxford Sports Advisory Council for its refusal, as he saw it, to back any proposal for a multi-sports centre which would encourage and further the growing sport of indoor bowls.

Mr Ralphs, of Earl Street, Botley Road, a former senior porter at the John Radcliffe Hospital, took over the joint position of crossing warden and caretaker at West Oxford Primary School in Ferry Hinksey Road in 1977.

He soon acquired a reputation for his cheerful manner, and became a firm favourite with the children and passers-by.

At Christmas 1987 staff at the Oxford Mail decided to wish him the season's greetings in person as a thank you for his daily greeting of a smile and a wave as they drove past him to our Osney Mead headquarters, and presented him with a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, and two scarves to keep out the winter chill. Two months later "Lollipop Len," as he became known to everyone, sported a red nose on his crossing duties as he joined in the fun of the first Comic Relief fund-raising marathon.

The following summer on his retirement, he signalled his intention to keep busy by taking on a part-time job as a gardener at the Oxford Mail.

After the death of his wife, Eileen, in the early 90s, he moved to the south coast, first to Bexhill then to nearby Hastings, where his funeral was taking place today.

He is survived by his son, David, daughter-in-law Rosemary, and their children Alexander and Kathryn.