A RUBERY woman spent her first New Year's day ever with her brother yesterday, following a tearful reunion after more than 55 years apart.

Jacquie Barlow, of Leach Heath Lane, had been searching for her brother, Peter Tancred, of Spalding, Lincolnshire, for more than 40-years and she finally met him for the first time in 56 years, just in time for Christmas.

The siblings, who first made contact just over a year ago through 'Yours' magazine, met on December 22 and spent an emotional and exciting Christmas and New Year together catching up on each other's lives.

Jacquie, 57, explained how strange it was seeing Peter, who is now 66, for the first time.

"It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, it was a very emotional moment but absolutely fantastic," she said.

"It has been the best Christmas and New Year I have ever had, I can't believe I have finally met him, it's been great."

Jacquie also knew that she had two other brothers who stayed with Peter and her father when her parents divorced in 1947. She moved to England from India with her mother and lost touch with them all.

Since meeting Peter, she has also met one of her other brothers, Richard, who surprisingly just lives a few miles away in Great Barr.

Jacquie said: "Meeting Richard was just as emotional as meeting Peter, I still can't believe it's all really happening after trying to get in touch with them for so long, it really has been wonderful.

"And who knows, we all might spend next Christmas together, as a family."