When Jean Dickinson wrote to a Dutch newspaper seeking an old penfriend, the last thing she expected was a response.

The 69-year-old addressed the letter to The Editor, The Newspaper, Bodegraven, Holland, and she was not certain it would even get there.

But within three weeks she received a letter from her long-lost pal Lies Grootendorst.

"Her first words in the letter were 'It's a miracle' and it certainly is," said Jean, of Nab Wood Crescent, Nab Wood, Shipley.

And Lies has just made her first trip to Jean and husband Frank's home with daughter Nelleke.

"We've had so much catching up to do but it's also like we never lost touch," said Jean, a former teacher.

Lies first started writing to Jean's sister Audrey Dargue in 1946 as part of a scheme which was set up to improve international relations after the Second World War.

But Audrey was killed aged 12 in a tragic accident when she was knocked off her bicycle by a lorry.

Lies then wrote to "Little Jean", as she called her, and the relationship continued into their teens.

"We would write often but as we grew up we gradually lost touch," said Jean.

She was spurred on to track Lies down after finding some of her old letters and Dutch postcards.

"A friend of mine called me and told me about the article in our local paper and I was really surprised Little Jean was trying to find me, it was lovely," said Lies, 76, a retired district nurse.

"We've had a lovely visit and Jean and Frank have shown us some lovely places."

Their packed itinerary included a tour of the Yorkshire Dales and the Shipley Glen Tramway.

And they were also treated to some traditional English food - scones, fish and chips and the obligatory curry.

"It's been a great visit and I will definitely be coming back to walk in the Dales," said Nelleke.

And they took extra bags home filled with Yorkshire mementoes, including pottery, guide books and postcards.

Last year the Dickinsons flew over to Lies and husband Jo's home in the southern Holland medieval village.

"We all got on like a house on fire. The men have a lot in common and we're so lucky as it could easily have worked the other way," said Jean.

"We'll definitely make sure we keep in touch this time."