BROTHERS who have been separated for 30 years had plenty to celebrate when they were reunited on the emotional occasion of their mother's 80th birthday.

Mavis Wordingham, 80 today, of Stockton Lane, York, was speechless when her son David Webster, who she has not seen for seven years, walked into her garden and surprised her.

And for David and his brother, Martin, the reunion was especially emotional as the brothers had not met in 30 years.

Mavis had been told David would not be able to make it for her birthday because of a work problem in Brisbane, Australia, so when he arrived out of the blue she and other family members were thrilled.

She said: "Martin lives in Cornwall and David emigrated to Australia with his wife, Mary, and son Stephen 30 years ago.

"I visited David about seven years ago but Martin hasn't seen him since he left.

"I felt terrible when he went abroad - I thought we maybe wouldn't see him again because it was such a terribly long way away.

"It is fabulous to have him here and both he and Martin are staying for three weeks so they'll have plenty of catching up to do.

"David is a mechanic and has his own business in Australia.

"He was wanting to come for my birthday and I was speaking to him two weeks ago but he said he had a fire in one of his buildings at work and couldn't come.

"We had Sunday lunch and my eldest daughter said to me: 'Don't do the washing up, go and sit in the garden', and David just came round the corner.

"I just couldn't grasp it. I didn't sleep a wink that night and I keep seeing him coming round the corner.

"We just all had a big cuddle and I was crying and he was all filled up as well.

"I think we both got a shock.

"It was lovely but it's an awful feeling because you don't know what to say or do."

David and Martin are celebrating Mavis's birthday with her second husband, Peter, their sisters, Margaret Richardson and Christine Marshall, and other family members.