THORNBURY maths teacher Betty Manser turned detective to bring about an emotional family re-union over the Easter holiday.

Betty's mum Vera was adopted as a child during the Second World War and had not seen her own natural mother Edith for 60 years.

But those long years of separation ended joyfully on Sunday after Betty tracked down her grandmother and organised a big family re-union attended by five generations of the family.

"My grandmother gave my mum up for adoption when she was aged two or three at a time when things were very different from they way they are now," said Betty, from Charfield, who teaches at Thornbury's Castle School.

"Mum went on to have a good life but just recently she started expressing a desire to meet the mum she never really knew.

"I got on the case and made inquiries in the Worcestershire village where mum was born. A lady at the local garage told me there was no one from the family left in the village but she put me in touch with someone else and after a spot of detective work I managed to track down my natural grandmother, who is now 84.

"I was a bit worried about making the approach but I needn't have been. She was thrilled and delighted and couldn't wait to see her daughter.

"The upshot was a big reunion at my mother's home in Lampeter in West Wales on Easter Sunday."

The "missing" grandmother, Edith, discovered grandchildren and great grandchildren she had no idea existed - and even a great great granddaughter - courtesy of Betty's sister, Carol.

Betty's mum also found out she had six half brothers and sisters - one of whom she was able to meet at the party.

"It was a very moving occasion and as you'd expect there was a lot of catching up to do," said Betty who was able to introduce her own two-year-old son to his great-grandmother.