EMOTIONS ran high when a great-grandma-of-seven was reunited with her younger brother after 68 Christmases apart.

The tearful reunion of siblings Olive De-Loma and Harold Tryner, who grew up in Sankey Bridges with their late sister Madge Tryner, made for an unforgettable Christmas.

Olive moved to America in her twenties after meeting her husband, John, while he was stationed at the Burtonwood Airbase.

The now 89-year-old settled in Connecticut and has only seen her brother a handful of times since then.

But this year, Olive returned to her hometown to surprise Harold, who had travelled back to Warrington from Spain after moving there eight years ago.

"I had bought him a Christmas card so I just wanted to save on the stamp," joked Olive as she recalled her first words to her brother.

"He didn't recognise me at first and then I said ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas - now come and get a hug from your sister. He couldn't believe it," she added.

Olive, who has two sons, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, described her time with brother as 'wonderful' and said it was great to be back at her old stomping ground.

"Warrington has changed so much - more cars, more buildings. I know that I've not lived in Warrington for years but it will always be my home," she said.

Harold, who has four children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild with wife Betty, said he was 'shocked and surprised' to see his sister after all those years.

He added: "My only regret is that she couldn't go back to Spain to get some heat to her bones and to see where I live."

Harold's daughter Lyn, who was the mastermind behind the reunion, said: "I get emotional just thinking about it. I started crying when they first saw each other. It was special for all the family."

But as far as Christmas presents go, Lyn will have to work incredibly hard to top this year's festive surprise.

"It was the best Christmas present to have them back together - it will be hard to beat," she added.