A Bradford family has been united after 22 years - thanks to a plea for help in the Telegraph & Argus.

Siobhan Darner, 45, hadn't seen her daughter Emma Dunwoody since the day she was born.

The tot was put up for adoption and mum Siobhan had no idea where she lived or what her circumstances were.

But Emma had always wanted to find her natural mother, and after putting an advert in the Telegraph & Argus appealing for help, her dreams at last came true.

Within days Emma was contacted by the brother she never knew she had, giving her details of her real mum's name and address.

And after speaking to each other on the phone, mother and daughter met for the first time before Christmas.

Emma said: "I've always known I was adopted and I knew when and where I was born.

"I really wanted to trace my real family, but my husband's in the army, so it was difficult to get things going because we were posted in Germany for three years and then in Ireland.

"While I was in Ireland, a friend of mine, who was also adopted, told me she'd traced her real family by putting an advert in the paper. So, last November I decided to do the same thing.

"Within days, I'd been contacted by my real brother, who told me where my mum was. I couldn't believe it, it was such a shock to speak to her and very emotional.

"My husband was posted to Wiltshire before Christmas, so on the way back, we stopped off to see mum.

"We were all in shock. Mum just said she didn't want to give me up for adoption, that it wasn't through her choice. She's really lovely, we've still got so much to talk about."

The pair are now in regular contact and met up again when Emma made a surprise visit on New Year's Day.

Not only was Siobhan, of Thorpe Edge, brought into contact with her daughter, seven years ago, her son Lee Tate, now 24, also found his real mum through an appeal in the T&A.

Lee, who was brought up in foster homes, put an advert in the paper when he was 17. He now makes regular visits to see his mum from his home in Beeston, Leeds. Siobhan spent her childhood in care homes and was receiving 'after care' from Social Services when her children were put up for adoption. She is divorced with no other children apart from Emma and Lee.

Siobhan said: "We all get on brilliantly. At last we're a family again, thanks to the T&A.

"When I first heard Emma's voice, I just went numb, my heart was racing like mad.

"I'd always hoped she'd get in touch one day. I kept writing letters to fostering and adoption agencies telling her I loved her and really cared for her.

"Our first meeting as a family was fantastic. I think we were all a bit nervous. I was prepared for her to ask all sorts of questions, but nothing came, she just accepted me as I am.

"It's a lovely feeling. I've finally got my family back after all these years."

Lee Tate, of Dewsbury Road, Beeston, Leeds, said it had been an amazing experience to help reunite his sister with his mum.

He said: "When I first saw the advert all time stopped for a while. I just couldn't believe it.

"When I first talked to Emma and I told her that I'd done exactly the same thing with the advert we were both just totally gobsmacked.''

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