A woman has recently turned to a local newspaper in an attempt to find her family and learn about her background.

Pauline Shinwell was born on April 14, 1937, at a nursing home in Greater Manchester.

Mrs Shinwell was told of her adoption at the age of 14. At that time she was not interested in tracing her past but, since her own husbands death, she has decided to begin her search.

"My adoptive mother once told me I had brothers and sisters, but I don't know if that is true," she explained.

A friend of Mrs Shinwell said that they had tried all the normal adoption agencies but had drawn a blank.

Anyone with information is asked to get in touch.