A woman's 20-year obsession with compiling her family tree has received a boost after the Telegraph & Argus helped track down her great aunt.

Now Helen Ely, of Ipswich, plans to travel north in a week's time to meet 83-year-old Joan Harrison face-to-face at her home in Undercliffe, Bradford.

Mrs Ely's husband William will make it a family affair by visiting Valley Parade with the couple's son Alexander to watch his home side Ipswich take on the Bantams on the same day.

For two decades the mother-of-four has collected details of her ancestors' past spanning more than 200 years and ten generations, but she had drawn a blank over her great uncle Fred in Bradford.

But after a story appeared in the Telegraph & Argus about her great uncle, who lived in Cragg Street, near Great Horton Road, Mrs Ely, 34, got a phone-call she had been hoping for.

"When I answered this woman's voice said 'It's Joan, not Jane' and she explained that she used to be married to great uncle Fred.

"In the T&A article I said his wife was called Jane, because it was recorded as a J in the marriage certificate and I guessed it was Jane. I just thought it was wonderful to hear her voice.

"I never expected to find Fred's wife, I suppose I assumed she would be dead. Joan said my Ipswich accent brought back fond memories of Fred, who was born in the city.

"We're going to drive up for the day and have a meal with her. Then William is going to take our eldest son Alexander to the football.

"It's just wonderful to find her. It's part of the family history I'd really struggled to pin down."

Mrs Harrison said she met Fred, her second husband, in Bradford in 1953 through friends when she was 34 and he was 48.

She said: "A friend of mine spotted the article and said I should give Helen a call.

"I was married to Fred for 12 years, but I'd already been looking after my son Arthur on my own after my first husband was killed during World War Two.

"The article mentioned that Helen was looking for my son Arthur as they thought I would probably be dead.

"But sadly Arthur died when he was 56. It was such a surprise to hear from Helen because it was all such a long time ago."

Mrs Ely said although she had now completed the Bradford end of her family tree,she would continue with her research.