Two editorial staff at a regional newspaper revealed a hidden aspect of their lives last week - by announcing in print that they were adopted.

Sub-editor Derek 'Del' Chapman and business editor Glynis Fox - both of the Lincolnshire Echo - were featured as part of the paper's coverage of National Adoption Week last week.

Del's aunt was revealed as his real mum in a plot that he felt could have come straight from a soap opera, but he said: "I couldn't have picked better parents if I'd chosen them myself'.

He was 14 years old when he discovered who his natural mother was.

He had known from an early age that he was adopted but his father promised to reveal his natural mother's identity only when he felt he was old enough to come to terms with it.

When that time came the truth was like something out of a soap opera plot.

His birth mother turned out to be the woman whom he had always looked upon as his aunt - his adoptive father's sister.

Del, (56), said: "I was quite shocked when I found out who my natural mother was.

"I only ever saw her at family gatherings so it didn't really have much of an impact and didn't change my relationship with her.

"I wanted to find out who my father was but only she knew and I felt it would be too uncomfortable and insensitive to ask her when she had kept it a secret from everyone for so long.

"I did do some checking but all I could ascertain was that he'd been a Canadian airman in Cambridgeshire during the war and his nickname was Red.

"I don't feel any great loss not knowing, it was more out of curiosity really.

"I have been extremely happy with the parents I've had and couldn't have picked better ones if I had chosen them myself."

Del's life has been touched by adoption in more ways than one.

His best friend is also adopted and Del himself adopted his wife's children as his own more than ten years ago.

Glynis was told the shock news about her family over a cup of tea by a cousin when she was in her 20s.

She said: "I was on a day off, took the dog for a walk and dropped in on a half-cousin living nearby.

"She innocently dropped the bombshell over a cup of tea.

"In conversation, I said I didn't know she was adopted. She replied 'I am, just like you.'

"The shock sank in gradually, throwing great light on many other aspects of my life.

"I met my birth mum. She hugged me with tears rolling down her face. I thought 'Is this real?'

"Being adopted leaves questions but gives you freedom. My adoptive parents gave me fantastic opportunities."

Used courtesy of the HoldtheFrontPage