A Canvey woman has appealed for help in tracing her natural mother after her adoption records were lost.

Jakki Byrne has enlisted the help of Castle Point MP Bob Spink in her fight to find her family roots.

Mrs Byrne, 43, of Berkeley Lane, embarked on the paper chase more than a year ago. Adopted from St Margaret's nursing home, Hackney, in 1958,she decided to try to trace her birth mother, a Janice Mackie, from Scotland, after her adoptive mother died.

She said: "I contacted Hackney Council and was told all the home's files had been either lost or destroyed

"All they were able to suggest was that I ring National Children's Homes and other organisations in case they had any information."

But no one could help the mother of four. She said: "I'm so angry. I've got a file of letters about this two inches thick.

"The job of looking after people's records is not being taken seriously enough and I'd like someone to take responsibility for that fact.

"I don't want a relationship with my real mother - but I would like some acknowledgement.

"I'd just like to tell her she made the right decision in giving me up because I've had a great life."

Dr Spink said: "I sympathise totally. We should ensure systems are in place to prevent this happening in the future."

Frustrated - Jakki Byrne has a two-inch thick pile of paperwork from her search

Picture:STEVE O'CONNELL

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