A COUPLE are hoping The Northern Echo's readers can reunite them with the witnesses from their wedding 14 years ago.

Stan and Edna Hardy are searching for Ian and Kath Hawkings, with whom they lost contact after moving house several times.

The Hawkings used to live in Darlington and had connections with St Andrew's Church, at nearby Haughton, before moving to London.

The Hardys believe their friends still have relatives in the area. Anyone with information can contact Mr and Mrs Hardy on (01723) 582189.

Other people trying to trace friends, neighbours, relatives and old Army friends include:

* June Young (nee Witherspoon), of Gateshead, who is trying to trace her four children with whom she lost contact after suffering serious health problems.

They are Paul Trotter, 31, Judith Trotter, 30, both believed to be living in the Sacriston area of County Durham, and twins Steven Trotter and Craig Paxton, aged 29.

Mrs Young can be contacted by writing to Elmwood, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, or by telephoning her sister, Mary Evans, on 0191-419-2194.

* Peggy Boon, of Portsmouth, who is trying to help a friend locate the family of William Ernest Gibbon, who died in 1946, aged 31.

Mr Gibbon was born in Great Stainton, County Durham. His father was Thomas Gibbon and his mother Caroline's maiden name was Murray.

He was a farm hand until he became a Royal Marine and went to live in Portsmouth.

Anyone with information can contact Mrs Boon at 23 Green Farm Gardens, Hilsea, Portsmouth, Hants, PO3 5JD.

* Ann Slater-Taylor, of Blackburn, who is trying to trace John Hall, with whom she was in contact in the 1970s when he served with the Army in Northern Ireland.

Mr Hall has a sister, Judith, and his father, who was in the police, stepmother and family lived in the Durham area. Ms Slater-Taylor's late parents were Kathleen and Barny, and her brother Paul.

Anyone with information can contact her on (01254) 660151 or by writing to 6 Lower Ashworth Close, Blackburn, Lancs, BB2 1QS.