Two friends who survived the Second World War have been reunited after more than 70 years.

When Mary Van-Gelder, 97, moved into J-Living home Harmony Close in Golders Green, she was amazed to meet her old friend Laura Cohen, 88.

The two women had known each other in the 1940s when they both lived in London’s East End.

Mrs Van-Gelder said: “When I saw her face I recognised her instantly.”

Mrs Cohen, who is now widowed, had been close to Mary’s sister-in-law and later married Mary’s husband’s cousin.

The friends lost touch over the years as each raised a family.

Mrs Van-Gelder, who is also now widowed, left London soon after a bomb fell through her roof during the Blitz to join her husband, who was stationed in Bristol, where she applied for a job as a machinist.

Mrs Cohen was evacuated to Ely where she began work at a factory producing jam for the army.

Mrs Cohen said: “Seeing Mary again after all those years brought back a lot of memories. Because she is a bit older than me, Mary has been able to tell my son David a lot about the family that we never knew.”

As Mrs Cohen has suffered from recent ill health, Mrs Van-Gelder often visits her new old friend and helps with her shopping.

She said: “Now we are both widows, but we’ve got each other to keep us company.”