Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust's appeal for volunteer supporters has reached as far as Australia!

Three members of a New South Wales family have made a return visit especially to follow the trail of parents and grandparents who lived in the town in wartime.

Anne Flaherty and her son, Beau, and daughter, Samantha - both studying in the UK at the University of Gloucester - spent time in the town just before Christmas and made a beeline for the Heritage Centre in the Dockyard Chapel.

In 1944, Anne's father, Merv Pike - a Sunderland pilot with 461 Squadron - and his new bride, Barbara, set up their first home in Wellington Street, Pembroke Dock.

Anne and her children had previously visited 'PD' in 2011. "Then we were made most welcome at the Flying Boat Centre," said Anne. "The Sunderland Trust has made great progress since and we are so impressed by what has been achieved at the Heritage Centre.

"I am planning to come again before long and to work as a volunteer at the Heritage Centre," she added.

Anne and her family are very active among a network of flying boat contacts in Australia and Anne has raised considerable funds for the Sunderland Trust through the sale of her father's memoir, entitled 'Just As It Happened', which spotlights his time on Sunderlands at PD. His story also features in displays at the Heritage Centre.

Copies of Merv Pike's book are on sale at the Heritage Centre which is open during winter months Mondays to Fridays, 10 am to 4 pm.