AN overjoyed Bournemouth man has found his long-lost sister on the internet - more than 28 years after they were parted.

Jerry Smerdon was just one when his baby sister Julie was adopted in April 1973.

"We were living in Northern Ire-land and an American couple desperate for a family adopted Julie," Jerry, 29, recalled.

"It was at the height of The Troubles and mum believed Julie would have a better life with them.

"Her adoptive dad was in the American navy and they moved back to the States a short time later."

Jerry was 14 when his mother Rose told him about Julie. "I was shocked when she showed me a photograph of a baby and said it was my sister. It didn't sink in."

But, as the years passed Jerry became determined to find Julie. He said: "I'd always felt there was something missing in my life."

After moving to Kinson 12 years ago Jerry, a glazier, married Alison. The couple had two sons, Jack and Ryan.