LONG lost sisters shared an emotional embrace at the weekend after meeting for the first time thanks to an appeal on Facebook.

Annette Youngson, 50, and Heather Ede, 49, were both put up for adoption shortly after they were born by their disabled mother, who was unable to look after them.

Mrs Youngson decided to try and find her missing sibling and posted a picture on Facebook a few weeks ago of herself holding a piece of paper which read: “I’m trying to find my sister, born Heather Smith, on April 26 1967 at Northallerton Maternity Hospital, North Yorkshire. Her name could have been changed but someone out there might know here. Please everyone share. Thanks.”

The post was shared hundreds of times, and two weeks ago – just three days after the initial message appeared on Facebook – Ms Ede got in touch with her sister.

After messaging and calling each other every day, the pair finally met at a North Yorkshire hotel at the weekend.

Mrs Youngson, of Aberdeen, said: “Before I met Heather I was nervous and excited at the same time.

“As soon as we saw each other we both started crying. There was a definite connection between us. We started talking and laughing straight away.

“I can’t imagine my life without her now.”

She added: “I hoped the Facebook post would work, but I had no idea how quickly I would find Heather. I was in shock. I am so grateful to everybody who shared the post.”

Ms Ede, of Peterlee, County Durham, said: “When I first read the Facebook post I couldn’t believe it.

“I thought it couldn’t be possible, it had been too long and too much time had passed.”

After seeing the appeal she sent her sister a message which read: “I think I am the person you are looking for.”

Their partners, Michael Youngson, 49 and Anthony Carter, 59, were also at the weekend’s meeting at the Premier Inn at Catterick Garrison.

The sisters both have a brother, Peter, who was raised by their mother, who is deaf and cannot speak.

Both sisters were told from an early age that they were adopted and three years ago Mrs Youngson decided to try and find her biological family.

She said: “Within a couple of weeks, I found an address for my older brother Peter.

“The first time we met was amazing, we just clicked. He took me and introduced me to our mother.”

Ms Ede said she did think about finding her family, but fear of rejection kept her away.

She said: “I am really happy that Annette found me, because I wouldn’t have tried to find her and I am delighted she is now in my life.”

The sisters, who have five children and five grandchildren between them, can’t wait to meet each other’s extended families.