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With his high-vis jacket and enthusiastic greeting, the ‘waving man’ of the A19 is a familiar sight to many Teessiders.

For over a decade, Barry May has endured rain and hail, and even had golf balls and used nappies thrown at him by cruel motorists.

But nothing will stop the 60-year-old from trying to bring a bit of sunshine to motorists.

For the past 15 years Barry has stood, rain or shine, on the same A1027 bridge which connects Norton to Billingham on a crossing of the busy A19. Despite the fact that it’s a two-mile walk to the bridge from his home in Roseworth , Stockton, Barry prides himself on never missing a day.

Usually arriving around lunchtime, the huge Eddie Stobart fan stays until it gets dark before walking the two miles back home.

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

The ex-care worker, who has never been married and still lives with his mother who is in her 80s, said he even stands to wave at passers-by on Christmas Day.

“Every year I’ve been coming here - past 15 years - and I love it,” he said.

“I walk two mile to stand here every day.

“If it’s hail-stoning or raining - anything - I come down here. I even come on Christmas Day. I enjoyed it.”

Barry said he takes a packed lunch each day to keep himself going, and enjoys it while continuing to wave at the passing motorists.

With their horns blowing and lights flashing, Barry has become something of a fixture for the regular wagon drivers who clearly expect to see him on their journeys.

But not all motorists have shown Barry that same kindness.

In fact, some have cruelly subjected him to verbal and physical abuse as he does nothing more than enjoy his harmless hobby.

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

Some have thrown eggs, some have thrown dangerous items such as golf balls and cans.

On occasion, heartless motorists have even thrown used nappies at him.

“I’ve had an egg chucked at me just this afternoon and it hurt my back,” said Barry before returning to cheerfully wave at the lorries passing below.

Barry said his love of waving at lorries harks back to his childhood when his dad, himself a truck driver, would take his son to watch the busy traffic to show him what he did for a living.

“It’s my hobby. Since I was five years old - I used to come with my dad in his lorry - my dad’s passed away now,” said Barry.

“I come here all the time - I love it.”