A mother is searching for her son who was taken away from her when she was just 15 years old.

Rosie Marshall, 66, from Northamptonshire, gave birth to her son, who was then called David Keith Unwin, on August 29, 1963, at St Helier Hospital.

Because she was only 15 years old her mother put her into care and she was sent to a mother and baby home in Sutton.

She only got to look after her son for six weeks until one day she was sent to church, to help with Harvest Festival, and when she returned her baby was gone.

Initially she refused to sign the adoption papers hoping her mother would change her mind and let her keep him but in the end she had to sign them.

Wimbledon Times:

St Helier Hospital 

Miss Marshall has launched a Facebook appeal to find her son which has been shared across the country, and even the world, nearly 70,000 times.

She said: "I was only 15 years old and because nobody was willing to help me keep him I was forced to have him adopted.

"I long to see him, to put my arms around him and hold him tight. I want to tell him that I have always loved him and that a part of me has been missing for so long."

She said she was amazed by the kindness and understanding shown by people on Facebook around the world and added: "I understand that there is a certain protocol attached to the finding of an adopted child - it safeguards the parties involved. I am willing to go through any procedure and do this right.

"There is a chance that my son, if found, may not want contact. If that does happen I will have to step back and adhere to his wishes.

"I am being guided through the procedure step by step. I have waited 50 years, so I do not mind the wait. Once again none of this would have been possible without the help from the united effort given by all those darling people on Facebook."

David’s name would have been changed by the people who adopted him.

Do you have any information that might help Miss Marshall? Email ssleigh@london.newsquest.co.uk