FORMER railway colleagues were reunited after nearly 20 years when they were given the keys to the doors of adjoining bungalows.

William Baldry and Joe Harker, who left Shildon Wagon Works before it closed, in 1984, have found themselves living next door to one other in Park View, Shildon, a new development by the Three Rivers Housing Group.

Soon after other properties were allocated, they found out two other ex-workmates had also moved in.

Mr Baldry was chief superintendent of the new constructions department at the works before he retired in 1983. He lives in Park View with his wife, Sybil, next to Mr Harker and his wife, Madge.

The project provides 13 two-bedroomed bungalows for the elderly. It was developed in partnership with Sedgefield Borough Council and Shildon Town Council to bring more high-quality rented accommodation to the town.

Three Rivers completed a similar development two years ago at The Mallards. As a result the group was granted £342,000 from the government through the Housing Corporation to develop Park View.