The photographer behind a picture which led to a regional daily’s worldwide search for its subject has shared her delight at its success.

As previously reported on HTFP, Birmingham Mail journalist Andy Richards led a social-media backed hunt for the child, known only as the “little ballerina girl”, after discovering the picture last year.

The girl was found to be 58-year-old Lorraine Williams, who had been photographed by American student Janet Mendelsohn, pictured above left, in 1968.

The photo of the girl practising ballet had appeared in an exhibition of Ms Mendelsohn’s photographs held at a city art gallery – but neither she nor anyone else had any idea who the girl was.

The Mail’s successful search resulted in the image being shared around the world and capturing the hearts and imagination of Mail readers.

Now in her 70s and living in Boston, USA, Ms Mendelsohn told the Mail she was “delighted to see it”.

She added she was “amazed by how much traction her work is now having” nearly 50 years after the photos were taken.

After the Mail tracked down Lorraine, pictured below with the photo, she told the newspaper: “I am absolutely amazed over this. To think that you and your readers have been involved in such a big hunt for me, it’s a struggle to take it in.

“I couldn’t believe it when someone showed me the photograph. But it is me and even though it is such a long time ago now, I still vaguely remember it being taken.”