A burglary has helped reunite a daughter with her mother and brothers after 35 years.

Irene Harris, 76, of Hamfield, Wantage, was separated from her mother Agnus, father William, sister Harriet, and brothers Thomas, Dennis, Brian and Alf, when the family left Ireland for a new life in England.

Irene's grandmother, Margaret, insisted baby Irene stay in Ireland with her and she grew up there, only seeing her family a few times before coming to England herself in the 1940s.

The last time the whole family was together was for Irene's father's funeral in Skegby, near Mansfield, 35 years ago. But six weeks ago two men posing as council workers stole thousands of pounds in savings from Mrs Harris and her husband Bill, 72.

Mrs Harris called the police and as she recounted the incident to officers she remembered her brothers Dennis and Thomas had been in the police force.

When WPc Karen Joel heard Mrs Harris's sad story she decided to try to reunite the family by checking police records for the brothers. Both men had retired from the force but were contacted and the family arranged to meet.

Mrs Harris said: "It was very emotional. My mother was trying to wipe my tears and I was trying to wipe hers. "I was furious when I found out those men had stolen all our money, but we would never have found my family if they hadn't." WPc Joel said: "Mrs Harris showed me a photograph of her brother which had his shoulder number on and said he was based at Nottingham.

"I phoned the employees' relations department there and said they would forward a letter to him."

Mr and Mrs Harris have one daughter, Margaret, 56, who lives in California, and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mrs Harris's brother Thomas Taylor, 72, lives in Skegby, Nottinghamshire. He was in the police force for 30 years. He said: "I had often wondered what happened to Irene. I thought she had gone to America with her daughter.

Her brothers Dennis and Brian were also in the force. Dennis now lives in Warwickshire and Brian lives in Lincolnshire. Alf was a driving instructor and also lives in Lincolnshire. Their sister Harriet died four years ago.