TWO former classmates who had not seen each other for nearly 50 years were reunited in the grandest of settings as they received the British Empire Medal.

Linda Dawson was picking up her gong for the Millennium Green project in Hoddlesden, while Carole Garrett was being recognised for services to enterprise and skills in Burnley.

MORE TOP STORIES:

They got the shock of their lives when they came face-to-face, as they went to school together at the former Walshaw Girls’ School, Burnley, in the 1960s, and their paths haven’t crossed since.

Both were announced as recipients of the prestigious award in the Queen’s birthday honours list and received them from the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth, in the stunning Shire Hall at Lancaster Castle on Friday night.

Linda said: “I was waiting before we went in and I saw Carole walking up the stairs. I said ‘hi’ and we chatted about where the years have gone.

“What are the chances of that happening?”

Burnley-born Linda, 63, has lived in Hoddlesden since 1979 and was part of the original committee that set up the Millennium Green Trust in 1998 - transforming six acres of derelict industrial wasteland into a haven for wildlife that can be used by the whole community.

Carole said: “It was a fantastic evening. When I got there I looked at a lady waiting at the top of the stairs and said to her, ‘I used to be in your class at school’.

“I instantly recognised her, and Linda did me, and we had a great chat.

“It is an amazing coincidence; you couldn’t write the script for it.

“It’s great to have two Burnley girls recognised at such a prestigious place.”

Carole has run her business advisory and software development company, Profitoptimiser Enterprises Ltd, for the past 12 years, as well as being a member of Burnley Bondholders, who were instrumental in getting Burnley recognised as the Most Enterprising Town in Britain in 2013.

The British Empire Medal rewards achievement or contribution to a hands-on service to the local community. It was scrapped in 1993, but reinstated by the in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.