A MESSAGE on the internet led to a reunion for three former Chorley Grammar School friends who had not met for almost half a century.

Bill Beesley included the names of John Newman and Rodney Crawshaw among his school pals in his personal details on the popular www.friendsreunited.co.uk website.

Both John, a freelance journalist, and Rodney, a retired management executive, saw their names.

After getting in touch by email with Bill, a driving instructor based in Nelson, and Rodney, who still lives in Eccleston, John, who worked as a national newspaper sports journalist, arranged a meeting at the Farmers Arms in Eccleston.

"It was great meeting up again," said John, who lived in West Street, Chorley, and whose reports in the school magazine, The Chorleian, often referred to the sporting exploits of the other two. "We swapped stories about our careers, families and experiences in the Forces since we last met in the 1950s. We're happy to still be friends and are making plans for future meetings."

Bill, who lived in Back Lane, Whittle-le-Woods, while at school and whose father owned the Regent Cinema in Coppull, said: "It's easy to lose touch as more people come into your life, but thanks to the internet we have been able to renew our friendship. It's been wonderful to meet up again."

Rodney, who has lived in Eccleston all his life, said: "Even though you lose touch you never forget your school friends but so many people tend to leave it to others to make the contact. Everyone has so much in their lives as they grow older and make their way in the world."

On a sad note, good friend Cliff Prescott passed away in December 1997.

The three who survived him echoed: "It would have been really wonderful if Cliff had made it to our Jubilee Year reunion."

Any of their school contemporaries wishing to get in touch can contact John on 07867 766697.

John added: "Our form of '48, '49 and '50 also included Gordon Smith, Eddie Thomas, Crawford Baines and Frank Howard. Harry Ashton joined the form in the fifth year. We don't know where they are now, but we would really like to hear from them."