An Emsworth woman has received a family Christmas card, which has been sent between relatives for nearly 60 years.

Renee Warren, of Emsworth, remembers her parents first sending the "Scotch Christmas card" to her cousin, Ethal, in Tooting, London, in 1947.

When her mother died, she continued the tradition, and still sends the card to Ethal, who now lives in Canada.

Mrs Warren said the card, which has had to be reinforced with sellotape, "chartered the family's history".

As the two families have changed over the years the names of children and other new members had been added, along with a Christmas message.

Mrs Warren said the card had gone astray on numerous occasions.

"We've been worried," she said.

"There was one year where my cousin went mad and sent it registered post."

Mrs Warren said the family hoped to continue with the tradition for at least another 20 years.

"My cousin in Canada, she is now 80, has now nominated her daughter to take it over when something happens to her.

"I shall nominate my son to take it over - we've got to fill in another half a page!"

BBC News 13^th December 2006