A CHANCE find over the internet reunited two former school friends who have not seen each other for 35 years.

Mother of two Patricia Bill, 47, and Kay Williams, 48, a site manager for a cleaning company and grandmother, who has three children and lives in Tamworth in Stafford-shire, were reunited at Pat's house in Weymouth.

The two used to go to primary school and later to high school in Coleshill in the Midlands, but lost touch after Patricia moved to Weymouth when she was 12.

Patricia said: "We were doing some family history over the internet because my daughter wants to be a genealogist. Kay was the only one I can remember from school. I found her before Christmas because her Mum and Dad were still living at the same address."

She asked them for Kay's telephone number, which she had not been able find herself because Kay had married and changed her surname from Morgan to Williams. But her call did not come as a total surprise for Kay, as her mother had already phoned her on her mobile to tell her the good news.

Kay said: "It was a joy to hear from her. I remember her as having long dark hair and that we went to the seaside together."

The two women, who have rung each other almost every day ever since, arranged to meet up and Kay arrived with her husband and two of her five grandchildren.

Patricia said: "It's been a long, long time, but she hasn't changed a bit. I recognised her as soon as the car pulled up."

Their life stories have revealed some coincidences. Both have worked in catering and Kay has been on holiday to Weymouth with her family but did not know where Patricia was living.

Although they have been busy catching up after so long, they found some time to visit the town.

Kay said: "We've had a lovely time. We've seen the fireworks and the kites and the kids have been to the fair and the arcade. We'll be back down again."