Two former schoolmates have unexpectedly reunited three-quarters of a century later.

The pair had not spent meaningful one-on-one time together since they left Winchester County High School in the early 1950s.

Grace Gray and Ruth Williams, both in their nineties, found themselves in neighbouring rooms at Abbotts Barton, Winchester, and said it was a "lovely shock."

The old friends reconnected at the 64-bedroom care home after life's paths took them in different directions.

Ruth recounted the moment they saw each other again.

She said: "There was a quiz at Abbotts Barton, and there was a new lady there who I thought I recognised. I looked and looked and thought ‘Is it her?’.

"So, I thought I’d just go and ask. I walked up to her said, ‘My name’s Ruth, what's your name?’. She replied, ‘Grace’. I asked, ‘Not Grace Harfield?’ and she said ‘Yes’.

"It was an absolute shock to start with, but it was such a lovely shock. I just couldn’t believe it. She said she could recognise me when I smiled."

Grace and Ruth occasionally caught up at school reunions organised by Grace, with their last face-to-face interaction being more than two decades ago.

Grace, a retired specialist basket furniture maker, came to the home for respite care after a hip replacement, while Ruth, formerly a lab technician at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, now resides there permanently.

Grace, a member of The Worshipful Company of Basket Makers who still teaches classes in chair seating, described the reunion as "absolutely wonderful" and said: "I didn't know what had happened to Ruth. It’s been just lovely and I'm going to come and visit her when I go home because I'm not very far away.

"I was completely shocked to hear someone use my maiden name, which no one around here knows really. It was a real shock and then a complete pleasure."

Recounting their time at the girls-only grammar school— now Westgate School—where they were among the first to take the 11 Plus exam, they recalled the gymnasium, swimming pool, playing fields, and choir.

Both women also reminisced about their pre-modern convenience upbringing, recounting how their mothers "worked tirelessly from dawn till dusk" during rationing.