Jim Feather thought his friends would be lost forever when left his native Riddlesden in 1960 to emigrate down under.

But with the help of the Keighley News Jim managed to contact his childhood friend Allan Townson.

And for the first time in 40 years Jim has returned home to visit Allan and take a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

He has spent the past week reminiscing with Allan, and is now keen to contact more of his old chums before returning to Australia on July 15.

Jim, 67, who used to live in Fern Terrace, explains: "It all started when I was flicking through the Internet looking for the cricket scores at Headingley and I stumbled across the Keighley News web site.

"I'd been thinking how nice it would be to contact my old friends, so I sent an e-mail to the editor asking for some help.

"After a story was put in the paper I heard from Allan for the first time in years, and all of a sudden I got the urge to come back to my roots.

"We've been going around all our old haunts and the place has hardly changed - it's great to be back."

Since his return to the area Jim has visited sister Jackie, who lives in West Bowling, Bradford, and has made an emotional trip to Oakworth, where his dad Ernie and brother David's ashes are scattered.

He has also been chewing the fat with old friends Jeff Slater, Norman Kelk and Roy Willoughby.

Jim says: "The thing that has struck me is that everything has shrunk, because all my memories are from my childhood and my early twenties.

"I had never realised what a beautiful place Riddlesden was, and to see all the old buildings again is fantastic.

"The people around here are still friendly and Allan and Annie have treated me like a king.

"The pubs have still got the same atmosphere and the beer at The Granby is still beautiful."

Allan says: "We've known each other since we were five, so there's been plenty of catching up to do and lots of reminiscing."

"We went back to our old school (St Mary's) to have a look around and the teachers have asked us to write about our memories."

After gaining his education at Riddlesden and then Eastwood School, Jim went on to study art at college, before taking up a job at John Haggas' mill in Ingrow.

He adds: "I saw a textiles job advertised in Australia and I originally went out there on a two-year contract, but before I could blink 40 years had flashed by.

"The climate is much better over there and a there's more emphasis on a laid back outdoor life."

Jim settled in Bendigo, a small city that was at the heart of the Australian gold rush and is around an hour and a half drive from Melbourne.

He has a wife Carolyn and three children, Jarrod, 20, Peter, 18 and Christina, 6. Anyone who would like to contact Jim or Allan can phone them on 01535663793.