No stopping school patrols

In rain, hail or shine, primary school pupils have been keeping a watchful eye over pedestrian crossings outside their schools for the past 79 years.

The initiative was started in Dunedin at a time when horses and carts were prevalent, and has since spread across the nation's cities.

Yesterday, the Dunedin City Council celebrated the dedication and enthusiasm of Dunedin's school road patrollers with the annual Combined School Patrols Orange Parade.

Nearly 600 pupils dressed in orange vests, some of them also with orange-painted faces, were led up George St by police cars and a pipe band before gathering in the Octagon to be congratulated by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull.

The pupils spent the afternoon swimming at Moana Pool and having a barbecue.