There were laughs, tears and plenty of memories as a group of trainee nurses were reunited after 50 years apart.

The women started as trainee nurses at the Radcliffe Infirmary in 1961 and came together to remember half a century of friendship.

But there was some sadness at no longer being able to return to the hospital site, which is being redeveloped to provide new Oxford University buildings.

Co-organiser Fran Deacon said: “The Radcliffe Infirmary has gone now so while students go back to their college, we cannot go back there any more.

“But it is lovely to see everyone. We always gelled very well as a group.” She joked: “It was the swinging 60s back then, but I am not sure we noticed.”

Of the 24 women who finished the course, 20 reunited at St Benet’s Hall in St Giles last week.

Some flew in from the other side of the world specially for the occasion.

Lindsey Hill, from Wellington, New Zealand, said: “I was here for the 40th and one in between, so it is lovely to see everyone again after so much time.”

Wendy Bishop, who now lives in France, said: “Back then, (nursing) was a women’s world.

“The sisters and matrons were remarkable. Even if we didn’t like them we respected them.”

Many of the women stayed as nurses, but others went on to become teachers, poets and musicians – and one became a vicar.

They also remembered friends who had passed away over the years, Sue Hey and Sylvia Turner.

Many of the nurses had only just turned 18 when they started the training and said it was a bit of “a shock to the system”.

Sandra Grainge said: “We worked hard and we played hard.”

Women were not allowed to get married, had to cover up their uniform before going into Oxford and would cover up their pierced ears with their hair.

They were paid £9 a month and would regularly walk to bus stops further away to save money on the fare.

But despite the hard times, the women said they always had a lot of fun.

Fran Deacon said: “We were always trying to buck the system as much as we could.

“It was a very happy time, but nervy.

“We were terrified of those in charge but happy because we were all in the same boat.”

Mary Thomson added: “And there were lots of parties. Nurses got in free at the Carfax Assembly Rooms because there were not enough women in Oxford.

“So the women from the secretarial college and ourselves were popular.”

Jo Mathews said: “And I used to play the piano in the old wards, I would play the Beatles for the patients.

“You cannot imagine having a piano in the ward now.”