A POLICEMAN helped a lost Australian tourist locate a part of his family tree – and discovered an unexpected link to his guest from down under.

Bill Whykes and wife Pat had travelled to the UK and Ireland for a six-week holiday as part of their 40th wedding anniversary and to celebrate his retirement  as a business and property manager.

He was also keen to trace his family roots, as many of his ancestors hail from Durham, Cornwall and Ireland.

Mr Whykes' maternal great-grandparents, Robert Bates and Isabella Sarah Bramwell were married in St Mary's Church in Heworth, Gateshead, in October 1873. Isabella was christened in the same church and her parents were also married in St Mary's, in 1844.

The current vicar had invited the couple to attend a Sunday morning communion service during their visit.

But instead of travelling to Gateshead the couple mistakenly thought that, as St Mary's is administered by the diocese of Durham, Heworth must be in or near Durham.

When they arrived in the cathedral city no-one was able to help with directions.

He said: "Eventually, after three laps of the city we located the police station. By this time it was almost 5pm and I was wondering if this place called Heworth actually existed.

"A policeman came to reception and I told him I was a lost Aussie trying to find Heworth.

“The policeman in question was PC Jon Leask, 38, who replied with a grin that his parents were married in the church.

“He then drew me a diagram with directions and included his name, police number and phone details, saying if we got lost on the way he would come and find us.”

"This was an extremely emotional event for me and may never have happened had it not been for Jon, his kindness and his caring manner.”