Pair celebrate being penpals for 75 years

A woman has praised the personal touch of writing to someone after keeping the same penpal for 75 years.

Daphne Northfield first sent off a letter to Gwenda Kidd – who lives in New Zealand – in 1937, the Leatherhead Advertiser reports.

Over the past three-quarters of a century, the pair have continued to keep in touch, regaling each other about their lives.

"It would have been very easy for either of us to lose interest but we really hit it off. We have grown up together, we have laughed and cried [together]," Ms Northfield remarked.

She added although there are easier ways to correspond, she prefers to pen messages.

The two friends – who finally met in 1987 – now average six letters each a year and do occasionally use the phone to keep in contact.

If people are interested in staying in touch with British soldiers, then becoming a penpal is one option open to them.

Posted by Samantha Thompson