More than 70 members of the same family travelled to Kent from as far afield as New Zealand, Canada and Spain for a reunion.

The Thomas clan gathered at Minster Abbey Hall for the mammoth get together... their first since 1971.

All those who went along are related to the late Sidney and Ivy Thomas, who moved to Blue Town on the Isle of Sheppey from London in 1943.

Mr Thomas worked in Sheerness Docks and as soon as he and his wife found a house in King Street, their eight children who had been evacuated were relocated to be with their parents - and they went on to have another two children.

There are now 28 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren, many of whom were at the party.

It was the first time the family has had a big reunion since the wedding of Paul, one of the 10 siblings, in 1971.

Audrey, the eldest of the 10 Thomas children at 82, lives in New Zealand and was not able to attend, but was represented by her daughter Sally Frostick.

It was organised by Gordon McGlynn, whose mother Carole is one of the siblings.

He decided to arrange the reunion after starting to research the family tree and seeing a photo from the wedding, which they recreated.

The 51-year-old said: "It was absolutely brilliant. Everyone had so much to talk about and catch up on.

"It was an excellent venue so I'd like to thank them."

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