Adopted twins from Clevedon have been reunited with their long-lost sister having not known that for 65 years she lived in North Somerset.

Linda Lewis, from Weston, was five years old when she was separated from her five-month-old sisters Frances and Jennifer – who had their names changed to Dawn and Eve.

But the trio were reunited after more than six decades apart because 71-year-old Linda approached ITV’s Long Lost Family show, and their tale will be broadcast tonight (Thursday).

The sisters were separated following the death of their 29-year-old mother Florence due to post-operation complications.

Their dad Charles struggled to cope with the three children and made the decision to put the two babies up for adoption.

Linda said: “Dad was left with two very young babies that needed a mother’s attention which must have been very difficult.

“He was devastated he lost his wife and he couldn’t cope with us all.

“Losing mum and then losing the twins is like one big bereavement.”

With just the original birth certificates for Frances and Jennifer, Linda stood little chance of finding her long-lost sisters, especially as their names were changed by their adoptive parents.

However, the ITV show’s experts managed to track down Dawn and Eve in Clevedon and hosts Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell reunited them in tonight’s highly emotional programme.

Dawn and Eve, who live on the same street, had been told their birth mother had died in childbirth and they felt guilty, which made them hesitant about trying to find their long-lost relatives, fearing they may not be welcomed by their real family.

Dawn said: “I think she’s (Linda’s) lovely.

“Now we’ll be together as a family, all of us together.”

For Linda, going on the television show has given her an extra spring in her step.

She said: “Now I’ve got them back, it’s like another life starting.

“They’re lovely. It’s everything I wished for.”