The South Wales Argus has succeeded where the likes of Chat magazine and TV’s Trisha show failed, by reuniting a mother and daughter after 24 years apart.

Linda Parry and her daughter Lucy MacNamara last saw each other when Lucy moved to Australia with her father in 1980 at the age of ten.

But after her fiancé, Andrew, was shot dead in Australia last year, make-up artist Lucy decided to move to London to be near her father, who had since come back to Britain.

It was then she decided to try and trace her mother.

Lucy, now 33, appeared on ITV’s Trisha show and in national magazine Chat as she tried to find Linda.

But it wasn’t until she contacted the Argus that they were finally reunited, as Linda, who now lives near Pontypool, was alerted by her sister Tracey who saw the Argus story.

A tearful telephone conversation followed, during which Lucy learned she had a 16-year-old half-brother.

Lucy and Linda, (51), met in London and then Lucy arrived in Wales to meet her new-found family.

A delighted Lucy told the Argus: “I was an only child until a week ago and I still can’t believe I’ve got a brother.”

Linda said: “We would really like to thank the Argus for bringing us back together.”

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