THREE close friends, who sat side-by-side at school, are to host a joint party for their 70th birthdays, just as they did for their 21st and 60th celebrations.

Chris Parkinson, Pete Holden and Frank Bibby sparked up a bond of friendship which has lasted nearly 60 years at Blackburn Technical and Grammar School.

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The trio, who met in 1957 at the Blakey Moor school, were inseparable, sitting together and were part of the school football team which won the district cup three years running at Ewood Park.

Chris, who grew up in Highercroft, celebrates his birthday on September 6, Peter, who originates from Audley was born two days later while Ewood-born Frank is the youngest, with his milestone birthday on September 15.

For Frank it has been a longer journey than the others as he has lived in Melbourne, Australia, for the past 27 years and the birthday bash will be only his fourth trip back to Lancashire since emigrating.

Chris, a retired computer technician, who now lives in Longridge, said: “Whenever the three of us get back together the old stories start flowing, and so does the beer.

“I can remember the laughs we had at school and that just carried on later on.

“Our 21st was held at East Lancashire Cricket Club on Dukes Brow and we used to go to the pubs together in the town centre known as the ‘Barbary Coast’.

“We kept in touch and had our 60th together at St Wilfrid’s in Longridge. At the time time we didn’t think we’d all still be alive for the 70th but here we are, telling those old stories again.”

Pete, who now lives in Padiham, said the pals were looking for old classmates to join them for the birthday bash at the Fernhurst, Ewood on Friday, September 9 from 7.30pm. Former Blackburn Tech pupils, especially the 1957 to 1963 intake, and anyone else who knows the trio, are invited to join them for a drink at the party.