IT IS a funny story that an American serviceman has told for seven decades - the day he met "Jane Eyre" in Worcester while stationed at Spetchley in 1945.

After friends back in The States informed the "naive" USAF Serviceman Corporal Donald S. Anderson of the famous book written by Charlotte Brontë, he long assumed he had been given a pseudonym by the girl.

However, it turns out he may have indeed met a real life Jane Eyre who, it is thought, owned a shop in Sidbury.

The 90-year-old was contacted by a Worcester News reader after his story appeared in the newspaper as part of an appeal from Spetchley Park for memories of the servicemen who stayed there during the Second World War.

Mr Anderson has since been back in touch with Spetchley Gardens by email to say: "Good grief!It really was Jane Eyre.

"For the past 71 years I have been telling the story about when I met Jane Eyre, chuckling about how an English girl disguised her identity by giving me the name of the unhappy heroine of Charlotte Bronte's novel published in 1847.

"Now it has come to light that that I likely did meet Jane Eyre. Really. Just not the old one.

"To quickly review the story: I was a tail gunner on a B-17, stationed in England during WWII.

"The strain of combat flying was so great that crews were given a one week vacation near the end of their tour.

"I had flown 22 missions when our bomber crew of 9 was sent off to a beautiful old English manor called Spetchley Park neat Worcester.

"While we were there, it was announced that Germany had surrendered, and the war, for us, was over.

"I went into town to join the celebration. Jubilation reigned in Worcester.

"The blackout was over, light streamed out the windows and beer from the pub taps.

"No fires highlighted the party atmosphere and we were all deliriously happy.

"I walked around and presently met a girl about my age, also alone.

"She was wearing some type of service uniform, so we had that in common.

"We introduced ourselves and she said her name is Jane Eyre.

"Only later did I learn of the Bronte novel. And assumed the girl was shielding her true identity.

"Some 71 years later, Spetchley Park decided to pay tribute to some of the American airmen who had been their wartime guests.

"The Worcester newspaper picked up the story and ran a feature including my picture and the story about Jane Eyre.

"An alert reader reported there really was a girl named Jane Eyre that lived in Worcester so the

story may well have been true, after all.

"The reader says her parents bought a shop for her and she sold children's clothing.

"Perhaps more will be forthcoming on this story.

"But in any case, we have learned not to jump to conclusions about anything."

Anyone with memories of the Second World War USAF pilots at Spetchley should contact Annette Phillips on 01905 345213 and annette.phillips@spetchleygardens.co.uk.