A mum and daughter who were separated for more than two years have been reunited.

Nicola Mizen, from Chatteris, was refused permission to bring 12-year-old daughter Hannah to Britain by South African courts.

The desperate mum tried everything to get the court decision over-turned without success but in December she contacted MP Steve Barclay for his help.

His intervention made the difference and Hannah finally flew into Heathrow for the much anticipated reunion last month.

Hannah will start at Cromwell Community College in Chatteris after the Easter break.

Ms Mizen said: “It is just so great to have her with me again. Two years is a long time. We used to Skype every day, but it is not the same.

“My mother told me to look for a really tall girl at the arrivals gate, but even though I had been told, I couldn’t believe how much she has grown since I last saw her.

“I really can’t thank Steve and his team enough for what they have done for us – Hannah and I shall always be grateful.”

The pair visited MP Barclay at his constituency office in March for a catch-up and to say thank-you for his support.

Mr Barclay said: “This was a very emotional case, a mother separated from her child for more than two years.

“Hannah was forced to stay in South Africa because of an old court decision, and we needed to show things had changed so she could come to this country and be with her mum.

“It is great that this case has now had a happy ending.”