Four sisters, average age 73, are staying together under one roof for the first time since girlhood.

They want to make the most of the last few weeks before one of them – Mrs Alice Billings (78) – returns to her home in Toronto, Canada.

Mrs Billings last month returned to North Devon, which she first left in 1913, to be reunited with her sisters and brother.

Now, Mrs Nellie Harris, of 17 Fore Street, Langtree, and Mrs Edith Gerry, of Sutcombe, have temporarily moved in with the baby of the family, Mrs Dora Hutchings who lives at St Elvis, Northdown Road, Bideford.

Their brother, Mr George Beal, lives at 2 Hillside Terrace, Pitt Lane, Bideford.

Born in Frithelstock, Mrs Billings emigrated to Canada 12 months after her fiancé, Mr Tom Hill, and they were married. She has a son, Mr Tom Hill, in Newhaven, Sussex, two grandchildren, Michael and John, and two great-grandsons, Brett and Scott.

Gazette article dated 20 June 1969