A bride was reunited with her long-lost sister 48 hours before her wedding thanks to a chief reporter on a weekly paper.

Hampshire Chronicle chief reporter Warwick Payne was contacted by Chris Read and Hannah Andrews, a couple from Southampton who wanted to trace Hannah’s sister Emma, thought to be living in Winchester.

Chris and Hannah wanted to find her in time for their wedding, and the Chronicle agreed to print an article asking for Emma to get in touch.

Thankfully the story had a happy ending, as Emma called them 48 hours before the ceremony and was able to attend, and the day went perfectly.

Emma Andrews (left), Chris Read and Hannah Read pictured at Chris and Hannah’s wedding

Hannah had not seen her sibling for six years after she drifted away from the family. All they knew was that 24-year-old Emma might be in Winchester and working in the legal sector.

In fact she had moved away from Winchester to Fareham last year, but one of her friends spotted the Chronicle’s article and alerted her.

Hannah – now Mrs Read – said she was thrilled to see her sister on her wedding day.

“It meant so much to me that she was there on what was the most important day of my life. I am so grateful to my husband and the Chronicle for this. It was the best possible wedding present.”

Said Warwick: “When I heard about Hannah’s search for her sister, I wanted to do everything I could to reunite them.

“Chris and Hannah are a really nice couple, and I sincerely hoped that we could give them the perfect wedding day by printing an appeal that would motivate Emma to get back in touch and attend the wedding.

“Thankfully, everything went to plan and the Hampshire Chronicle was able to reunite the siblings.

“It is jobs like this one that really bring home that journalism isn’t just about bad news, and that newspapers can bring people together, and play a positive part in the community.”