SEPARATED from his family since the age of eight Cambridgeshire man Tony Seale, now aged 59, is piecing together his past after meeting his cousin Beryl for the first time in nearly 50 years.

An appeal to find his family in the Andover Advertiser led Beryl Duke, of Artists Way, Andover, to come forward after she recognised Tony's photo.

Beryl and Tony lost contact when Tony's mother Alice Lillian Day abandoned him at a bus stop.

Tony discovered he was then cared for by model Euphemia Grove and lived in Stoke House.

Euphemia was a famous model in her day, posing for artists such as Augustus John.

Meeting Beryl, Tony can now understand why his birth certificate records him living in Dene Road, Andover. For that was where Beryl and her parents used to live and where Alice's post used to be sent.

Tony and Beryl's mothers were sisters.

Tony is now desperately trying to find out information about his mother Alice Lillian Day, formerly a Smith and now possibly called Bruce.

Tony, said: "It was absolutely wonderful to meet Beryl but we have not finished looking yet.

"We are going to keep going and also try and track the other side of my family."

While Tony was in the care of Euphemia Groves he was looked after by her housekeeper Peggy Brockway who he has managed to trace.

Peggy told him he had at least two sisters, who she says were called Monica and Sheila Day.

Tony lost all contact with his family when he was eight after he was sent to Abbey Wells home for children, at Woolton Hill because he kept running away from Stoke House.

The appeal in the Andover Advertiser managed to trace Peter Ponting from Westbury.

He used to live at Andover Down and saw Mrs Grove frequently.

Mr Ponting recalled Euphemia being so rich that when she went to auctions she brought everything but most of the time never took anything home.

He added: "She brought anything but never unwrapped it." Tony meanwhile remembers making paper aeroplanes out of money.

So far Tony has not managed to find any trace of his father, William Seale, who used to live next to his mother's caravan in Dances Meadow.

If you have any other information that can help Tony find his family please call the Andover Advertiser on 01264 321206.