Triplets Gillian, David and Helena have met for the first time after 69 years apart, thanks to a Wheatley-based agency.

The 70-year-old Hodder triplets were separated soon after being born in 1932. Their mother died the day after they were born and their father, who had six other children, made the decision to give the triplets up for adoption because he could not cope.

The Hodder triplets

The triplets can now be a family again following a reunion yesterday in Church Road, Wheatley, at the base of NORCAP - the National Organisation for Counselling Adoptees and Parents.

NORCAP founder Pam Hodgkins brought the three together after successfully persuading the High Court that information allowing a search for the third triplet, Helena, should take place.

Florence and John, who later became Gillian and David after adoption, were put in touch with each other 25 years ago after a newspaper article.

They could not find their third triplet, May, whose name had changed to Helena - until now.

Helena was brought up by a United Reform minister and now lives in Kent. She said: "I was very keen to meet them, a bit worried at first. But I thought it was absolutely wonderful as the days went by.

"It is wonderful to know that I really belong to a real family."

David, who was adopted by a couple in Yorkshire, said: "I feel no great loss at what happened in those early days. Dad did think about us before he died."

Gillian, the eldest, who lives in Devon, said: "It was very frustrating because we did not know how to look for Helena. If it were not for Pam, we would never have met. We cannot thank her enough."

Ms Hodgkins said: "We're thrilled to have been able to reunite them. There are thousands of others like them who need help."

NORCAP continues to lobby the Government to introduce legislation to allow adults separated by adoption to have the chance to renew contact.