AN ELDERLY woman is trying to trace a friend she has not spoken to for more than 50-years.

Dora Cooke - nee Groom – befriended Darlington woman Ethel Mclone in 1947 when the pair were stationed in Northern Ireland with the Royal Signal Corps.

Mrs Cooke, 86, lives in Crewe and Ethel – whose nickname was Terri - sometimes stayed with her there when they were on leave from duty.

Mrs Cooke – who was known as Betty - would dearly love to re-establish contact with Ethel again after they lost touch in the 1950s.

It is understood that Ethel married a man called Ronnie Ball and remained living in the Darlington area.

If you are Ethel, or someone who can help Mrs Cooke trace her long lost friend, contact her daughter Tracey Cooke on 07967 415764 or 01270 748196. She can also be emailed at hypnosis4change30@yahoo.co.uk

Tracer is a free service, write to; The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DN1 1NF, call 01325-505071 or email newsdesk@nne.co.uk with Tracer in the subject line.