THE elderly daughter of a North-East pilot killed in a plane crash more than half a century ago has always cherished the thought that one day she would be reunited with her father in death.

However, 72-year-old Elsie Layland now fears that her final wish of being laid to rest by her father's side in Darlington's West Cemetery may never come true.

The deeds to Frank McIntyre's grave are held by his second wife, Georgina Alexandra, who lost touch with his daughter after he was killed in the plane crash on February 15, 1948.

Mrs Layland's daughter, Lorraine Henderson, said her mother was desperate to be reunited with her stepmother, or anyone who knew her.

"It is really important to her to either see Georgina or find out if she has passed away," said Mrs Henderson.

"That way the deeds can be passed on to her and she can be buried with him one day."

Mr McIntyre had been flying a light plane, belonging to Darlington and District Aero Club, when crashed at Croft aerodrome 56 years ago.

The accident was witnessed by about 40 members of Darlington Squadron of the Air Training Corps and was reported on The Northern Echo's front page the next day.

Mrs Layland's family were thrown into turmoil and a fight erupted between her mother, Martha McIntyre, and Georgina, who then lived in Blackwellgate, in Darlington, over who would keep custody of her.

At the age of 12 and an only-child, she was forced into joining a travelling circus with her mother and never heard from Georgina again.

Mrs Henderson, who lives close to her mother, near Liverpool, said they did not realise her father was buried in West Cemetery until they unearthed his obituary in the paper decades later.

"We come up to Darlington occasionally to visit the grave. It means a lot to my mum," said the 37-year-old.

The family would like to hear from Georgina, her family, or anyone who knew the McIntyre family when they lived in Darlington.

They are also keen to speak to John Pattinson, who survived the crash. He was 17 at the time and lived in Alton Parade, Darlington.

Anyone with information is asked to call 0151-630 4787.