THE Atlantic Ocean has failed to keep two friends apart who met on the back streets of a North-East town more than 80 years ago.

Marjorie Cooper celebrates her 90th birthday today with best friend Betty Goodman beside her.

Mrs Goodman, also aged 90, has travelled 3,000 miles from her home in Ottawa, Canada, to join her friend for the special day.

The pair have stayed in contact throughout their long lives after becoming friends as young children living in Darlington.

Mrs Cooper, nee Alderson, said: "We used to play together in the back roads when we were three-years-old.

"I lived at 242 Haughton Road and Betty lived at 232, although it used to be called Gibson Road then."

The girls both attended Gurney Pease Primary School and would visit Haughton Road Chapel three times a week together.

As they grew older, the friends would attend dances at the town's Palais and Co-Op dance halls.

Mrs Cooper, from Gilling Crescent, Darlington, added: "We also used to go along Grange Road to the park looking for boys."

Both women met their husbands during the Second World War.

Mrs Goodman, nee Barker, married Canadian airman Edward Goodman, while Mrs Cooper married a soldier, Tom Cooper, from Rugby.

The women were both married at St James the Great Church, Darlington, each acting as bridesmaid for the other.

After the war, Mrs Goodman went with her husband to France, before settling in Canada where she worked as a clerk for the Government.

She had two sons and now has two grandsons.

Mrs Cooper remained in Darlington, where she trained as a baker.

She had four sons and now has eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Throughout their lives, the women have stayed in touch, writing letters and speaking regularly on the phone.

Mrs Cooper travelled to see her friend in Franca and Canada, while Mrs Goodman regularly flew back to Darlington.

"I love Canada but England is my home," said Mrs Goodman.

However, despite their long-running friendship, the women do not always see eye-to-eye.

When she visits Darlington, Mrs Goodman loves to sit on the pedestrianised High Row and watch the world go by, but her friend is not impressed with the changes to the town centre.

Mrs Cooper also claims Darlington now appears "dead".

But Mrs Goodman disagrees, adding: "I haven't been into one shop yet and not had to queue."

The women will celebrate Mrs Cooper's birthday with a party at the Cleveland Club tomorrow.