John Hunter, 69, who dished out chocolates on his birthday and at Christmas, said pupils would queue up to give him high-fives. But he decided to quit when he said he was told to stop both activities after two complaints from parents. Mr Hunter said he was told by the council that giving out high-fives was a "health and safety risk".

It is thought that one parent complained after John gave a chocolate with nuts to a child with a nut allergy by mistake.  Mr Hunter took up the lollipop job at Corstorphine Primary School when he retired from his jobs as roads maintenance inspector with Edinburgh City Council ten years ago.

He said: "This is the first complaint I've ever had in 37 years. Now suddenly I'm a danger to these children. They said it's health and safety, but I can't see if it's the children's safety or mine. I've built up a strong relationship with them over the years, and I'm going to miss them a lot. I was thinking about retiring anyway, so I've handed in my resignation. But it's a rotten way to go. The children have made me promise to come back and tell jokes."

An Edinburgh City Council spokeswoman said: "We are really sad that John is leaving his post. Over the years, he has provided excellent service and a friendly smile to parents and pupils at Corstorphine Primary."

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