FORMER Barnoldswick resident Graham Berry has embarked on an emotional quest ahead of his 65th birthday.

He wants to mark the occasion by laying flowers on the grave of his twin brother, who was stillborn.

But he is unable to locate the spot where his brother was laid to rest in November, 1950.

He knows he was buried in the graveyard at Ghyll Church in Barnoldswick.

"I first tried to trace the unmarked grave of my twin brother in 2010 as I approached my 60th birthday," said Graham, who lives at Thackley, near Bradford. "I suppose the catalyst for my search was becoming older and thinking of my own mortality.

"Despite visiting Ghyll Church on several occasions, I have been unable to find the row of small mounds I remember my parents taking me to as a child."

He emailed the then vicar, the Rev John Lancaster, but he was unable to help.

Graham added: "I was told no record existed for the burial, but that was not unusual for stillbirths in the 1950s.

"Parts of the graveyard have been allowed to overgrow to assist wildlife conservation, and it may well be in one of these areas. Does anyone know the location of these graves? I would really appreciate laying some flowers on our 65th birthday later this year, somewhere near the grave at least."

The twins were the middle children of Colin and Mary Berry and the family lived at Calf Hall Cottage in Barnoldswick, before moving to Park Road.

Graham attended the town's Church School, in York Street, and then Ermysted's Grammar School in Skipton. He joined the West Riding Constabulary as a police cadet in 1967, became a constable in 1969 and a sergeant in 1977. He served at Wakefield, Keighley, Bingley, Shipley, Baildon and Eccleshill, as well as doing a stint with the task force, before retiring in 1996.

He then worked as a teaching assistant at Salt Grammar School in Baildon (now Titus Salt School) until 2006 when he fully retired.

Graham, who has three children, two stepchildren and ten grandchildren, is planning a reunion with his two surviving brothers – Neil, 66, and Ian, 62 – in Barnoldswick later this year and would be happy to meet up with former friends.

He can be contacted at Leaf House, 631 Leeds Road, Thackley, Bradford BD10 8JS, or via his johngberry@btinternet.com e-mail address.