LONG-lost cousins have been reunited after having lived in Worcester for the past 16 years without being aware of each other.

William Kent was able to get in touch with his first cousin Jean Miles after reading a report about her diamond wedding anniversary in the Evening News.

He now plans to meet her for the first time in nearly 20 years.

"The last time I saw Jean was in 1981, at my mother's funeral in Selly Oak, Birmingham," said 77-year-old Mr Kent, who lives in Shap Drive, Warndon.

Mr Kent's mother Beatrice and Mrs Miles' father Jack were brother and sister.

Mr Kent has lived in Worcester since 1946, when he left the Army. Previously he had served with the Worcestershire Regiment.

"I didn't know that Jean was in Worcester," said Mr Kent, who worked for 35 years as a biscuit salesman employed by Burton's.

He knew Mrs Miles and her father had lived in Oldbury, West Midlands.

"After reading the article I was able to speak the following morning with Jean and her husband Bill," said Mr Kent, who has since been sorting through mementoes of his mother with his wife, Joy.

"We're planning to meet up. We've got a lot of memories to catch up on."

He hoped to meet Mr and Mrs Miles at their home in Courtland Close, Claines, today

The couple, who celebrated 60 years of marriage last Thursday, moved to the Worcester in August 1984.

Mrs Miles, 84, said she was "delighted" to hear from her cousin after so long.

"I had no idea he lived in Worcester, until now," she said. "It was a great surprise to find out he was living so close for all these years. It will be lovely to meet him again."