Just a few kind words began a lasting friendship between Mary Funnell and Eileen Blyth.

"I'd just started work as a domestic at Milton House residential home in Bradford and Eileen, who was also a domestic there, came over and said if I wanted any help to let her know," said Mary.

She'll never forget those kind words which helped her through her first day - a daunting experience for anyone getting used to new people and a new workplace.

"We were walking across the car park - I'd only been there a week - and Eileen just said: 'You'd think you'd been here for years'," she added. That was nine years ago and they've been best friends ever since.

"We worked together and we got into trouble together!" joked Eileen, who along with Mary, set up a fundraising group for the home.

Within three years it had raised more than £16,000 - and provided fun.

Every eight weeks Mary and Eileen would set off early on a Sunday morning for Blackpool where they'd buy prizes in bulk for fundraising events - bingo nights, raffles, barbecues and spring fairs.

The pair worked together for about five years until Eileen retired on health grounds. But they never lost touch and see each other almost every day.

Mary always pops into the Acropolis Caf, where Eileen now works, after she's finished her daily shifts as a carer at Milton residential home.

There the pair catch up on the latest news and plan their next outing.

They regularly go on shopping trips together and Eileen and hubby Raymond have now introduced Mary to caravanning.

"The caravan is at Knaresborough, but we don't wait for somebody with a set of wheels to take us - we just go on the bus," said Eileen, who is accompanying her friend on her first holiday abroad this year.

To prepare Mary for the flight to Portugal, Eileen sought the help of son Paul, a pilot at a Leeds-based light aircraft firm, who took her for a short spin over Knaresborough.

Helping each other and, more importantly, being there for each other, is what it's all about, say the pair.

"You need a best friend, but you have to put yourself out to keep friendships going," said Mary.