A MAN has been arrested by police after a lollipop man was left sprawled on the ground following an altercation with a motorist.

The incident occurred around 8am when the lollipop man is understood to have been seeing children over a crossing at the junction of Moss Lane and Mossgrove Road, Timperley.

A Greater Manchester police spokesman said an altercation had ensued after a lollipop man threw his sign at a car that had failed to stop.

"The lollipop man was punched and a 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault. He remains in custody," added the spokesman.

An eye witness said she arrived at the scene to see the lollipop man 'lying in the middle of the road'.

The witness added that a suspect in the attack tried to drive off, but another man intervened, managed to get the keys out of his car, and after an argument threw his car keys in a tree, so he couldn't escape.

She added: "The lollipop man was taken away in an ambulance. It was dreadful.”

A council spokeswoman confirmed that an incident occurred this morning between a school crossing patrol and a member of the public on Moss Lane in Timperley.

The spokeswoman added: “The matter has been referred to police for investigation. Anyone who witnessed what happened is urged to contact the police.”