CLOSE schoolfriends who suddenly found themselves on opposite sides of the globe were reunited after 50 years apart: by the power of television.

Melvyn Evans and John Hutchinson were both pupils at East Ward infant and secondary schools in Bury in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

As well as being good friends in the playground, the pair were also pals at home and were never apart for long.

But in 1952, due to family difficulties, John suddenly found himself packed off to Australia as part of the controversial child migration scheme.

John ended up at the St John's Home for Boys in Melbourne and trained as a teacher, but despite returning to the UK for visits he was never successful in tracking down his old friends.

Melvyn (65) said: "Suddenly he disappeared and all the lads were asking where he was. After a while the word got around that his mother had sent him to a better life in Australia.

"I suppose John was quite lucky because for many lads the scheme was a cover for providing cheap labour. At least he was able to get a reasonable education."

When Melvyn saw a television programme about the Child Migrants Trust, which reunites emigrants with their friends and families, he got in touch with the organisation.

"I contacted them but at first they said they couldn't trace him. Then, a few weeks later, they rang back and said they'd found him and would pass on my details.

"It was quite a moment when John called and I was near to tears."

John had already arranged a holiday in the UK and met up with Melvyn last September, who has just returned from a visit to his pal's home in Australia.

In Bury they visited the East Lancashire Railway, while in Tasmania the pair enjoyed a ride on the spectacular "Puffing Billy" line.

Melvyn, who now lives in Manchester, said: "One of the amazing things is that we have both developed a real interest in trains since knowing each other.

"I've no doubt we'll meet up again to reminisce about old times."