TWO veteran Newport musicians were reunited more than a decade after they lost touch, thanks to the Argus.

Accordion player Vic Anstice, 85, appeared in the Argus earlier this month looking for bassist bandmate Danny Taylor who he last heard from 15 years ago.

The two men met during the 1950s after Mr Anstice formed the Adelphia Dance Band, and together they played to clubs, halls and pubs all over Gwent and South East Wales.

But they lost touch when they stopped playing together, and despite searching for Mr Taylor in Newport Mr Anstice was unable to make contact with his old bandmate.

But following Mr Anstice's appeal, Mr Taylor rang the Argus and made contact with his long-lost friend once again.

Mr Taylor, 76, from Bishpool, said: "I was shocked when I saw the piece in the paper. Everybody was ringing me up and telling me I was in there, and it was marvellous to get in touch with Vic again after all these years."

Mr Taylor gave up playing guitar two years ago, but Mr Anstice, from Allt-yr-yn, said they still had plenty to talk about.

He said: "When we first met again we chatted about the old days for hours like two old codgers! I was looking for Danny in the wrong place because I thought he was living in Ringland, so I would never have found him otherwise."

But Mr Taylor wasn't the only person to respond to Mr Anstice's appeal.

Esme O'Brien, 83, from St Julians also contacted the Argus on behalf of her brother-in-law Charlie Comer, who used to play piano with Mr Anstice before the Adelphia Dance Band was formed.

Paul Mcatee, from Bettws, rang to say he had an Adelphia Dance Band record from the late 1960s he would like to return to Mr Anstice, while Newport's civic toastmaster Harry Polloway, who used to MC during Mr Anstice and Mr Taylor's performances, is also soon to be reunited with the two old friends.

Mr Anstice said: "It's worked out exactly as I'd hoped."