THREE friends who worked together more than 30 years ago are to be reunited at a residential care home.

Mary Bramley, Leonard Sharp and Isobel Young worked in the Stockton and Thornaby Hospital before it closed in 1974.

Now the friends will all be living in Middleton Hall, at Middleton St George, near Darlington, where they will be reunited with another old friend, Joyce Williamson.

Miss Bramley and Mr Sharpe already live at the care home.

Miss Young and Miss Williamson are on the waiting list to move there.

They decided they wanted to live at Middleton Hall while visiting another colleague, the late Gertrude Painting, who previously worked as a sister in the accident and emergency department at the hospital.

For 20 years, between 1952 and 1972, Miss Bramley was matron at the hospital, and after its closure and demolition she had a road in the town named after her - Bramley Parade.

At her 90th birthday recently, Prince Charles sent a personal letter and a framed, signed photograph.

Jeremy Walford, managing director of Middleton Hall, said: "Keeping in touch for 30 years after the hospital was closed shows remarkable loyalty. As we have found out here, they are very special people."