PEOPLE across the region are looking for help in tracing lost friends and relatives.

Patricia Bradley, 58, is looking for her sister, who was adopted as a young girl. Her birth name was Beatrice Brown, and she was born on January 18, 1945, to Margaret and Clarence Brown.

She lived for a short time with them in Westmorland Road, Newcastle, before being adopted by a convent in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street.

Mrs Bradley is eager to trace her sister, as she has found every other member of her birth family, and they are having a reunion this summer. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mrs Bradley on (01388) 834455.

* Carole and Jan, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, are looking for descendants of their grandfather, William Arthur Griffiths, and his wife Daisy (nee Burton). They particularly want to find relatives of his children, Dorothy Mary, who was born in 1908, Olive Lorraine, born in 1907, and Philip Anthony, born in 1910. They lived in Church Street, Shildon, County Durham. Anyone with information is asked to call (01748) 834834.

l Joan Milburn (nee Fawcett) wants to trace an old school friend, Hilda Gallagher (nee Blareau). Mrs Gallagher lived in North Lodge Terrace, Darlington, as a child, and is now thought to live in Norfolk. She is known to have relatives still living in Darlington. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mrs Milburn through the Tracer column on (01325) 505099.

l Mr Ashman, from Washington, Wearside, is researching his family tree, and is looking for his half sister. Her name is Natalie Elizabeth Ashman. She was born on April 8, 1932, in Chester-le-Street. Her parents are Beatrice and Ernest Ashman.

Anyone with information about Ms Ashman is asked to contact Mr Ashman on 0191-416 0486.

Anyone who needs help in tracing relatives can contact Deborah Johnson, at The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF, or on (01325) 505099