Penpals celebrate 55-year friendship

A Rushenden woman is looking forward to celebrating 55 years of having a penpal.

Penny Townsend has been writing to Bonnie Hoffman in the US since May 1958, Kent Online reports.

During this period, they have met each other on eight different occasions, most recently in 2011. Despite living nearly 4,000 miles apart, they consider themselves to be best friends.

Speaking of the first time they met, Ms Townsend said: "At first the children had a job understanding my accent, but they got there in the end and now they all call me Aunt Penny."

She added she has been able to fulfil her two main ambitions of flying on a plane and meeting her penpal.

However, the pair have not been afraid to embrace digital technology as they now email each other, instead of sending letters like they used to when the friendship first started out.

Posted by Samantha Thompson