A WOMAN whose great grandfather created the Purple Pershore Plum is appealing for help as she tries to locate a photograph of her ancestor.

Winifred Taylor, aged 80, spotted nurseryman William Martin in a book by Fred Archer in a small, overseas library some years ago but has been unable to find it since.

Mrs Martin and her family come from the Bastonford and Powick areas of Worcestershire, though she has since lived and worked all over the world and is now settled in New Zealand.

Writing from Taranaki, on North Island, Mrs Taylor said: "It the photograph depicted him as a very upright, bearded gentleman with a three-wheeled bike and stating that he was the person who had first brought out the Pershore Plum. "Much as I would have liked to I could not take out the pages with the photographs on.

"I do hope that someone can be of assistance to me as I have photographs going back to my grandfather, Mr WG Martin. It would be wonderful if I could get a one further back to cover seven generations."

If anyone has a copy of the book and can provide Mrs Taylor with a photocopy of the photograph she would like to hear from them.

Send it to Mrs WM Taylor, 21 Swadling Street, Kaponga, Taranaki, New Zealand.