A heartfelt letter from a mother to her daughter, hidden for half a century in the hem of a wedding dress, has prompted an East Yorkshire couple to search for its original owner.

Chris and Helen Allenby, from Market Weighton, found the letter after buying the handmade ivory satin silk dress from an antiques shop in Beverley for their wedding in the Yorkshire Dales.

It is dated June 16, 1945 and is addressed to Sheila, and says that every stitch the mother has put into the dress is a token of her love.

Helen, now 25, discovered the letter when trying the dress on and said it was so moving it made her cry.

She wore the dress for her wedding last year in Middleham, in the heart of the Dales.

The letter says: "I thank you for your sweet companionship with all my heart. You have been my great joy and comfort, darling, and I shall miss you.

"But you will be passing into a new life with dear John, where I know you will find untold happiness in his love and care.

"God bless you both and keep your tender love for each other fresh and radiant throughout the coming years. Your adoring mother."

Chris, 27, who is an aircraft designer at British Aerospace in Brough, said the couple had been back to the antiques shop to try to return the letter to its original owner, but had not been able to find out anything about her.

Now they are appealing to anyone who might know Sheila, John or their family to get in touch.

Chris said: "It is a heartfelt letter and we just want to know who it was meant for and to return it to them."

If you think you know who the letter was meant for, contact Janet Hewison on York 653051 ext 348, or e-mail her at yorkreporters@york.newsquest.co.uk

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