AS four-year-olds, Kay Myers, Velma Jackson, Freda Ashworth and Pat Devereaux struck up a friendship when they started at the old Radcliffe Parish School.

Little did they know that the friendship would still be going strong 56 years later, and would take them on a holiday of a lifetime to South Africa.

Mrs Devereaux emigrated to Johannesburg 34 years ago and when she did, the others all made a pledge to go over for a visit when they reached 60.

"It was brilliant. We had a fantastic time and Pat was such a good host," said Mrs Myers, of Suthers Street.

They set off in September for a month-long visit. Not even an 11-hour flight could dampen their enthusiasm, and on arrival in Johannesburg at 7.30am, they were driven to Mrs Devereaux's bungalow, where they unpacked, showered and hit the town! After a few days exploring the city, they went on to Durban, where they relaxed at Mrs Devereaux's time-share. Then it was a seven-hour drive to Cape Town.

During the packed itinerary, they watched Zulu dancers perform, went line dancing, saw dolphins and whales, went to Karoo Game Reserve, explored South Africa's famous Wine Route, gambled at Sun City and saw Table Mountain.

"It's a beautiful country and in may ways it reminded me of the Lake District," said Mrs Myers.

Although they crammed a lot in, there was also plenty of time to catch up on all the gossip and reminisce about old times.

"When we were 17, we all went on a holiday to Blackpool and as a joke, we all bought the same blouse. So, in South Africa, we all went out one day and bought the same outfits for a laugh! We all felt like we were teenagers again!"

Sadly, the holiday, which the women had saved money for for three years, was over all too quickly.

"We bought Pat a shrub called Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, so she had a permanent reminder of us in her garden," said Mrs Myers.

And they made another pact to holiday together in five years ... in Blackpool!