Two charity volunteers from Nottinghamshire have been named Britain’s Best Friends 2015.

Yvette Price-Mear and Edwin Horne, both 53, first met at school 47 years ago – and have been inseparable ever since.

The pair were crowned winners of Britain’s inaugural ‘Best Friend of the Year’ competition, at a star-studded ceremony in London, organised by tombola, sponsor of ITV’s Loose Women.

Mrs Price-Mear and Mr Horne attended the same schools in Mansfield Woodhouse – Robin Hood Junior and Primary, and Manor Comprehensive.

They met at a school assembly aged six after Mr Horne volunteered to assist Yvette during her difficult recovery from Perthes Disease, a childhood disorder affecting the hips.

Today, the friends live just 500 yards from one another in Mansfield Woodhouse. They volunteer together at the Pet Bereavement Support Group, a charity founded by Mrs Price-Mear and her husband in 1993. Mr Horne, a full-time carer for a family member, currently serves as the charity’s chairman.

Mrs Price-Mear attributed the pair’s enduring friendship to a shared sense of humour.

“You have to be able to laugh – and Edwin is hilarious,” she said.

“The other key to our friendship is that we are always there for one another. We are prepared to talk about anything, at any time, day or night.

Mr Horne said: “Yvette is usually laughing at me, rather than with me!”

For the Best Friend of the Year competition, tombola launched a nationwide search for the country’s firmest friends.

Twelve pairs of finalists, from across the UK, were invited to London to watch Loose Women being filmed. They joined Loose Women presenters at an exclusive luncheon, at which presenter Ruth Langsford revealed the competition winners.

Mrs Price-Mear said: “We have been truly spoilt today. We have made some great new friends – I feel like I’ve known some of these people all my life.

“The best thing about today is the memories everyone has taken home with them.”

Dawn Elizabeth Howe, head of marketing at tombola said that although it had been difficult to whittle hundreds of entries down to the final shortlist, the judges had been particularly impressed by the staying power of Mrs Price-Mear’s friendship with Mr Horne.

“Although choosing an ultimate winner was no mean feat, Edwin and Yvette’s story was a particularly touching one. They’re a real inspiration and it was lovely to meet them both face-to-face,” she said.

“We are delighted that our Best Friend finalists enjoyed the day with the Loose Women ladies so much. The players loved chatting to them and I’m sure their social pages are full of selfies with Ruth, Andrea, Janet and Gloria.

“Combining the search for Britain’s Best Friend with our sponsorship of Loose Women reflected both tombola’s and the show’s sense of fun and community and there is no question it was a perfect fit.”

The competition winners will be treated to a £500 experience day of their choice, courtesy of tombola.

Pictured are Yvette and Edwin on the set of Loose Women. Photo courtesy of by tombola, sponsor of ITV Loose Women: https://www.tombola.co.uk/times/best-friend-of-the-year-finalists-yvette-and-edwin/