THERE was a lot of catching up to do when three sporting stars met up for the first time in more than 40 years.

George Hardwick, 81, Bill Lawton, 80, and John Mills, 80, had not seen each other since the mid-1950s when they were all in Oldham.

Mr Hardwick, a former England footballer most remembered for his time at Middlesbrough FC, was player-manager at Oldham, Mr Lawton played cricket for Lancashire, and Mr Mills was a sports officer in the RAF, where he met Mr Hardwick.

After a year of arranging the reunion, the three finally got together at Mr Hardwick's home in Yarm, Teesside, yesterday.

Mr Hardwick's wife, Jennifer, said: "There was a lot of catching up to do and they were all very excited. So much has happened since the last time they saw each other."