A former German prisoner of war and his British guard, who forged a friendship in the aftermath of the Second World War, enjoyed an emotional reunion yesterday - more than 60 years after they last saw each other. Gavin Engelbrecht was there to record the moment.

TWO former enemies who became friends in a prisoner of war camp had an emotional reunion yesterday - more than 60 years after they last saw each other.

British Army Bombardier Stan Lamb got to know Corporal Heinz Bottger when his unit was charged with guarding German PoWs on Guernsey, in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War.

Because Heinz's English was so good, he acted as camp translator and he and Stan spent many hours working in the guard room, where they forged a close friendship.

When Stan was demobbed, Heinz continued correspondence as he was moved from camp to camp, but lost touch about a year later, when his personal belongings went missing during transit.

A lost and found notice placed in national newspaper by Stan's family culminated in tracing Heinz.

Stan, who has been the proprietor of five North-East mines during his working life, said: "When I spoke to him on the phone for the first time, I introduced myself in true military fashion - No 986584 Bombadier Stan Lamb. We roared with laughter."

And yesterday, Heinz, of Hamburg, arrived by ferry at North Shields to embrace Stan, with the words: "After 62 years my friend, we meet again."

Stan, 91, of Edmondsley, County Durham, was an acting sergeant with the 614 Royal Artillery when he was assigned to Guernsey at the end of the war.

He helped to look after those left at the German garrison on the Channel Island.

He said: "It was really a low key sort of job. They (the Germans) were just happy that the war was over and they were out of it. We were just as keen to get home. But we had to maintain soldierly discipline and no fraternising was allowed."

Stan said Heinz was a "really honest helpful sort of fellow".

He added: "We spent a lot of time in the guardroom together. Fraternising was not allowed, but over time our friendship ripened. We took the opportunity to learn each other's language and spoke about our families."

After several months, Stan was demobbed, and such was their friendship, Heinz continued to correspond as he shifted between PoW camps.

In one letter he asks after Stan's daughter's health, saying: "I think that is the most important thing after such a terrible war."

The letters dried up, and Stan had always wondered what had happened.

It was these letters, found by his daughter, Eve Stocks, which eventually led to their reunion.

Eve said: "I remember my father talking about his friendship with Heinz. I was preparing a presentation for my father's 90th birthday, looking for old photographs, when I found the letters."

Eve placed a notice in the lost and found section of a national paper and, after one mistaken identity, she eventually traced the correct Heinz through Hamburg's records office.

Heinz, 87, who travelled the world as a liaison director for Unilever, said: "I was absolutely delighted when I heard Stan was looking for me.

"I lost all my personal belongings, including Stan's address, while I was being moved between camps."

Heinz, who was joined by his wife Katja, added: "I have travelled all over the world since and made many friends - but my friendship with Stan was a special friendship, because at the time we were former enemies, who were very happy the war had ended."