A FORMER Second World War evacuee is trying to trace the family who gave her a loving home when she was a little girl.

Great gran Margaret Hearn, nee Petersen, now 87, still has vivid memories of being cossetted by a family in Weaverham, who treated her as one of their own children.

Brothers Keith, 64, Michael, 63, and Garry, 61, would love to find anyone who could help reunite their mum with any relatives who can remember her early childhood.

"Mum was only four when she was evacuated by train from Liverpool to Weaverham," said Keith, who has carried out extensive research and appealed for information on social media but to no avail.

"She refers to the lady of the house as 'Ma Jones'. Her name may have been Hannah or Ethel.

"Mum remembers being showered with so much love and affection, she wished Ma Jones had adopted her.

"The Jones' family had a huge impact on mum's life.

"They gave her a lifeline and a great love of the outdoors. She still walks for miles."

Margaret spent six happy years growing up with them, feeling safe and secure.

"Mum remembers playing in woods, maybe Owley Wood," said Keith. "She walked to school and Ma Jones' husband may have had something to do with driving or vehicle mechanics.

"She remembers they had chickens and a big garden."

Keith has found a Jones family living in Barrymore Road on the 1939 register.

"Mum remembers a daughter, who married her sweetheart George who was serving in the RAF," said Keith.

Records reveal a Florence Jones married George Mills in 1941.

Margaret returned to Liverpool when she was 10 and found her family living in 'abject poverty'.

She got a job in a bakery and married Ron, a motor mechanic, when she was 21, who taught her to read and write.

Ron served in the army for 22 years and their three sons followed and now have successful business careers.

"Mum put us first every time," said Keith. "She adored us, my dad used to call us her 'three princes'.

"I know it's a long shot but if anyone knows of mum's story, we'd love to hear from them.

"Weaverham has a special place in her life and we'd like to help her fill in the gaps."

Anyone with information can email keithhearn@btinternet.com