A long-lost relative has told of her happiness at meeting her brothers and sister for the first time since she was a baby.

But the amazing reunion, in a north Essex village, was also tinged with sadness because the elderly relatives may never be able to get together again.

Martha Lingard, 60, flew in from South Africa for a family reunion yesterday at her nephew Colin Nice's house in Greenfield Drive, Great Tey.

There she came face-to-face with brothers Norman Nice, of Copford, Reg Nice, of Chalice Close, Braintree, and sister Marjorie McDonald, who lives in New Zealand.

It is the first time Mrs Lingard has been back to England since she was sent away from their family home in Collingwood Road, Lexden, when she was just three months old.

Her father went into the Army when the Second World War started, her mother died and the youngsters were left to be looked after by aunts and uncles.

She always knew of her siblings, including Dick Nice who lived in Monkwick until his death a few years ago, but never knew their addresses.

Three years ago she sent a letter to a vague address in Colchester which amazingly found its way to one of her brothers and then she came into some money which meant she could travel from her Johannesburg home.

Mrs Lingard, who brought her daughter and granddaughter over with her, said: "It has been lovely. I often thought about what they were doing and where they were and had been meaning to get in touch for years but did not know where they lived.

"We have so much catching up to. It is wonderful."

Brother Norman Nice said: " I wish we could have done this earlier, but it is better late than never."

And sister Mrs McDonald, 66, who lives near Auckland and came over especially for the event, said: "It's been lovely but I don't think we will be able to get together like this again, I don't think I will be making the trip from New Zealand again and because of that I am happy and sad at the same time."

Reg Nice added: "This is the biggest family gathering we have ever had and there is a lot to catch up on."

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