A GIRLHOOD friendship has been renewed after a space of more than 40 years -- and I'm flattered to learn that it's all down to the pulling power of this ancient column.

Barbara Wilson and June Deane played happily together as kids, and remained close into their late teens. But they lost touch with each other back in 1958 when Barbara (married name Jenkins) and June (who was to become Mrs Rigby) moved house.

Barbara went to stay with one of her cousins in Carr Mill, later married and moved to New Zealand where she brought up a family of three. She returned briefly to her St Helens hometown in 1995 before moving on to Ormskirk.

June, now living in Elton, near Chester, longed to see her old friend again as her forthcoming 60th birthday came into focus. So she arranged for a St Helens relative, Sandra Dodd, to place a little plea for assistance on this page.

Within two days a delighted June received a telephone call from Barbara and 24 hours later she and her hubby, Ron, were on their way to Ormskirk to forge the happy reunion.

"Thank-you," writes Barbara, "for giving us the opportunity to get together again."

THE pleasure's all mine, ma'am...