WHEN retired farmer Ruth Christopher joked that she would like to milk a cow once again at the age of 88, staff at her care home sprang into action.

However, the team at The Lindsay care home, Poole, could not have foreseen that their efforts to make her wish come true would lead to an emotional family reunion.

Local dairy Crib House Farm offered to give Ruth a guided tour of their facility, but it was quickly discovered the farm was actually run by Ruth’s nephew, Tim.

Realising there was a chance for a family reunion, the home and farm made arrangements for a lunch with a big surprise - Ruth’s younger sister Nora Miller, 87 was going to be at the farm to greet Ruth.

It had been a couple of months since they last saw one another.

Nora said: "What a wonderful treat to have Ruth at the farm, I’m looking forward to her seeing how much it has changed and to have a good catch up with each other.”

Bianca Turner, activities lead at The Lindsay, said “What a small world. It was a pleasant surprise to find out Crib House Farm was run by a relative of hers. Watching Ruth react to seeing Nora after so long really tugged at the heartstrings. There were tears all round.

"Special occasions like this really make it worthwhile and at the Lindsay we always do our best to accommodate our resident’s wishes in any way possible. It is important that they get the most out of life when staying with us."

A lunch of cottage pie was served and the sisters began to reminisce over happy times they had spent at the farm, with Nora sharing images from their childhood.

Ruth said: "I am so grateful for being brought back to the farm. I can’t believe Nora was here too.

"It was such a beautiful surprise, it means so much to me to see my family again.

"I still can’t believe it."