A PENSIONER was thrilled to have both of her two children by her side after a 50-year wait.

Peggy Toone's children, Peter and Anne, emigrated to different countries decades ago and the three of them have not all been together for half a century.

For her son, Peter, 70, the reunion was only the second time he had been back home to Southend to visit his 88-year-old mum.

Now living just south of Sydney, Australia, he said: "I was in the Merchant Navy and went to Australia 50 years ago.

"I had been to a party and I woke up two hours after my ship left. That's how I came to be in Australia. I looked around and decided to settle there. I was a painter decorator and got married.

"Mum's been out to Australia, but I decided to come and visit her for a month and, when I told my sister Anne, she came too.

"Mum is one of five children so we have lots of cousins. We all got together and had a fantastic time. Mum was thrilled to have us both back."

Mrs Toone's daughter, Anne, 66, went to live in California when she worked for an airline in 1967.

She originally went for two years, but never returned to England to live, instead settling in Fresno.

Although she has been back many times, and her mum and brother have both been out to the US, it has never been at the same time.

Now with two children and three grandchildren, she said: "It was a lovely surprise for mum to find out I was coming back too.

"Now she is older she is less able to travel, so it was nice to do this for her.

"Also, Peter hadn't even met some of our cousins, so we had a great day."

A party was held at the Conservative Club, in Chichester Road, Southend.