There were hugs and tears last week as Doris Robbins of English Bicknor was reunited with her

sister – 67 years after they were christened together in Aylburton and parted.

Their meeting took place in Sheffield where Doris at last saw the face that has been haunting her for the long years apart – years when she had only a photo of a baby girl to remind her she had a sister.

"I always knew she was alive somehow – and I hoped we would meet up in the end," said Doris.

The little girls – last of a family of nine children – lost their mother when she was giving birth to Doris's sister, who was christened Lydia.

Now called Shirley Watson, she was adopted by a couple who had lost children themselves. Both have died and Shirley lives a happy life alone in Sheffield, where she had a career in insurance and now has many friends and Methodist Church associates.

The reunion came about after a story about Doris's search for her sister, published in the Review, attracted the attention of the South West Adoption Agency (SWAN) which was able to research the clues to Shirley's whereabouts after her adoption.

The Review then helped Doris and her daughter Lorraine travel to Sheffield for the reunion, a month after breaking the news that her sister was alive and well.

"It was fantastic to see her, especially after such a long journey – I was quite calm on the way up although I had a sleepless night before, but as we got near I was a little afraid," said a happy Doris this week.

"She was not at all like I expected. But I showed the picture to somebody who knew mum and they said she looked like her when younger. It was wonderful though – she had no idea she came from a family of nine. We had a chance to talk for about an hour. There was so much to tell her.

"I really want to thank the Review too. It's all down to you."

The girls have one remaining brother – some of their other brothers and sisters dying in tragic circumstances – and parted agreeing to write and call each other regularly and perhaps have another meeting soon.

•Fittingly next week is National Adoption Week – for news of how agencies like SWAN can help adopted people and their relatives see the Letters page.