A NORTH Yorkshire woman who discovered she had a long-lost cousin is to join her in London for a special Queen's Golden Jubilee celebration.

Susan Chadwick, from Newton-on-Ouse, is to attend a luncheon, hosted by Gloria Hunniford, at Hampton Court.

Mrs Chadwick, 55, won a national competition held by Lyons Cakes to bring together long lost, new found or lifelong friends and family to celebrate the Queen's 50 years on the throne.

Six years ago, Mrs Chadwick discovered she had a cousin she did not know existed.

She found Barbara after researching her family tree as a surprise for her father Reg on his golden wedding anniversary.

Reg and his brother, Bob, were both born in Kent, but were separated in 1934 when Bob became a drummer for the Army.

Bob was posted to the Khyber Pass, India, and Mrs Chadwick's father lost contact with him.

Mrs Chadwick said: "I knew that my father had always missed his brother and wondered of his whereabouts. So in 1994, I started exploring our family history. I finally discovered that Bob had married and settled with his family in Swansea, Wales. However, I didn't reach him in time. Bob had already passed away."

But Mrs Chadwick was still eager to meet her new relatives and contacted Bob's wife by letter. The two families met soon after, when Susan was finally introduced to her cousin.

"Barbara and I are around the same age and, even though we have only known each other for a short time, we have developed a close relationship."


Updated: 11:23 Friday, May 24, 2002