A TRIP to Blackburn Ice Arena prompted Betty Cullen to try and track down a school pal she hasn't seen for over 30 years.

Betty, 48, from Bolton, often remembers the fun times she shared with Ann Sharratt at Lostock Open Air boarding school in Bolton.

But she lost track of Ann, who once lived in Ingham Street, Blackburn, and now has no idea whether she is still even living in East Lancashire.

Betty, who was called Watson at the time, is hoping someone will remember Ann and be able to put the pair in touch again so they can catch up with each other after three decades.

Betty said: "I don't often come to Blackburn but every time I do I remember Ann. "We boarded at the school which was for children who had missed a lot of education through ill health.

"I have often thought I will try to trace her but have never got round to it.

"But when I went to the ice arena I began thinking that Ann could be sat in the audience with her children and grandchildren like I was.

"The details I pretty sketchy, I don't know her married name, or even whether she ever got married."

Betty remembers that Ann lived in Ingham Street, which has since been demolished, with her brother Stephen.

They were at Lostock Open Air School together between 1961-63.

The last time Betty saw Ann was when Ann visited her soon after the birth of her first daughter.

Betty said: "I would love to see her again. She was a lovely girl and we often got mistaken for sisters at school because we both had the same dark hair.

"We shared a lot of good times and I would be thrilled if we managed get in touch again."

If anyone remembers Ann contact Deborah Yewdall at the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on 01254 678678 ext 350.

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