A BROTHER and sister who were separated more than 30 years ago have finally been reunited last week at a tearful reunion at Manchester Airport.

William Woods, 50, who now lives on Carr Field, Clayton Brook, along with his wife and two children, finally got to meet his sister Sandra in the flesh after she emigrated to Australia along with mother Gerarda Woods nearly 34 years ago.

Both parents Roy and Gerarda Woods, who were originally from Victoria Road, Horwich, divorced when William and sister Sandra were only youngsters.

Sandra went to live in Sydney along with her mother to seek a new life for themselves while William stayed in the UK.

William spoke of his happiness to finally meet his sister in person for the first time in 34 years.

He said: "It was absolutely brilliant being in the arrival lounge at the airport.

"It was a very emotional moment for both of us, to be honest. "We both had sent hundreds of letters over the years to each other, but to finally meet each other in person was absolutely fantastic.

"Sandra was only four when I last saw her."

Sandra, who married husband Tony more than ten years ago over in Sydney, added: "When I was a kid, I used to dream of getting a real high-flying job and being able some day to come back to England to finally meet up with Bill.

"I'm just so thrilled to be over her at long last.

"I'm only here for two-and-a-half weeks, so there's a lot of catching up to do!"

She added: "Meeting uncles and aunties have brought back floods of childhood memories for me.

"It's great to be finally here after all these years."