THE disappearance of young Mary Gwilliam in Kempsey in the 1920s has remained a mystery for around 80 years.

Now her niece, Susan Wonfor, of Peterborough Close, Worcester, is researching her family history and hopes someone can throw light on the intrigue.

Mrs Wonfor, aged 53, said the Gwilliam family lived at Sunnyside Cottages, Kemp-sey, and her late father, Jack, born in 1918, was the youngest of eight children.

"Mary was his elder sister and he remembered her going missing when he was a little boy, aged seven, eight or nine," she said. "She had been visiting her fianc, Frank Jenkins, in Freelands, Kemp-sey, and never arrived home.

"It was a big news story at the time, which went into the national newspapers."

Mary was born in 1898 and would have been in her 20s at the time of her disappearance.

She may have been suffering from depression, as her employer had tried to commit suicide and Mary found her.

Was Mary ever found and did her family choose to keep her fate a secret?

Anyone who can help solve the mystery can call newsdesk on 01905 742246.