A FORMER soldier from Chorley was overjoyed when he was reunited with a foreign friend from the Second World War.

Les Price, of Collingwood Road, first met Tonnie Hendrik when he stayed at her parents' farmhouse, in Oploo, north Holland, during the war.

Les, 19 at the time, was with the South Lancashire regiment when his platoon rested with the Hendriks for three weeks during the winter of 1944.

After the war ended, the friends lost touch for nearly 50 years, but Tonnie and her two sisters caught up with Les with the help of Chorley's then Mayor, Jim Meadows, as they had swapped addresses when he lived in Coppull.

Les, now 72, and his wife Joan visited the three daughters in 1992 after they had retired.

Now, five years after the first reunion, a second meeting was arranged and Tonnie and her husband Johan have come to stay in Chorley.

The visit was even more special for Tonnie as it was a surprise ruby wedding present organised by her son Herman.

The couple met Les and his wife Joan on Friday and stayed at the Yarrow Bridge hotel, with a trip to the Lake District on the agenda.

As a special treat, Corporal Bill Large, also of the South Lancashire regiment, was invited to a farewell party held on Monday night.

Les said: "It was very emotional and Tonnie had no idea that the visit was being planned. She had never expected to be able to come and see me at all."

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