FRIENDS who last met in 1968 are in touch with each other again, thanks to the Worcester News.

Gordon and Gwen Parkin, of Norton, Worcester, responded to an article about Ian Turnbull, now living in Canada, who was due to visit the city and wanted to renew old acquaintances.

Mr Turnbull, now in his 70s, left Worcester at the age of 15 and was principal percussionist with the Band of the Worcestershire Regiment from 1946 to 1958.

He was delighted when Mr and Mrs Parkin got in touch and e-mailed the Worcester News to say he was looking forward to seeing them.

He is accompanying his wife, violinist Joan Pack, on a tour with St Paul's Cathedral Choir, from London, Ontario, which performed at Worcester Cathedral at the weekend.

Unfortunately, their schedule proved so tight that it was not possible to arrange a get together, although he talked to Mr Parkin on the phone and also saw Mrs Parkin briefly.

Mr Parkin, aged 73, a former member of the Worcestershire Regiment, is recovering from a knee replacement operation and was not able to get down to the Cathedral.

He said: "It's a shame we didn't meet, but we had a lengthy chat on the phone and we will certainly write to each other when he has finished his tour. "I first met Ian at Norton Barracks when I was a sergeant drill instructor and he was a corporal, later sergeant, in the band.

"We became friends, but last met in Cyprus in 1968 when Ian was playing there for the UN Forces.

"We lost touch after he emigrated to Canada."