A PENSIONER reunited with his brother after 39 years has spoken of his heartache at being unable to meet up with him because of lack of cash.

Alexander Rigg, aged 67, last saw his brother Noel in 1957 when they were aged 21 and 25 respectively.

"Our mum died when I was eight and my father later remarried but we didn't see eye-to-eye with his new wife," said Mr Rigg. "At 15 went to live with a friend and my brother joined the army.

"In 1956 we did arrange to meet up but for one reason or another didn't get round to it and that was the end of that."

Mr Rigg said he decided he would like to find his brother in 1996.

"I thought it was about time we met up again," said Mr Rigg, who has three children and 14 grandchildren.

"I contacted the Missing Persons Helpline but after 12 months, they rang me to say they were very sorry but they hadn't had any luck tracing him.

"I was disappointed but what could I do? I couldn't believe it when they phoned me again 12 months later to say they had found him - in Canada.

"It had taken them two years. I was shocked but delighted."

He said talking to his brother again was "very strange".

"The Missing Persons Bureau had contacted him and asked him if he would like to get in touch with me," said Mr Rigg, who lives in Leominster.

"I sent him a brief resume of my life and he did the same. After reading it, I phoned him and although it was very strange talking after all those years, the conversation flowed easily.

"Unfortunately, although we swap letters, photographs and telephone calls, we haven't met up yet.

"It would be lovely to see him again but it's a long way to Canada and as a pensioner, I simply can't afford it.

"I'm 67 now and my brother's 71 this year so I don't know if we will meet up.

"I think my father could have done more to keep the family together but at least I'm in touch with him again."