MEMBERS of a Kent family feared to have died in the Asian earthquake disaster have been reunited with relieved friends and relatives after returning home.

It had been feared Gareth and Floryda Smith and their sons Zerubbabel, nine, and Joshua, six, had been caught up in the horror.

For 10 days after the tsunami struck, no one had been able to contact them at their holiday home on the Indian Ocean island of Sipora.

But on their return to Beltinge, just outside Herne Bay, Mr and Mrs Smith said the area, west of Sumatra, had actually been relatively unscathed by the disaster. However, they had had no means by which to contact anyone to let them know they were safe.

The family have thanked everyone for all the efforts made to try and establish contact, including Mr Smith’s brother Gareth.

It was Gareth, 45, who was told the happy news from the British Consulate on Wednesday last wek that they were safe and well.

Tom McKinlay, minister at Herne Bay Baptist Church, in the High Street, where the Smiths worship said: “We are very grateful to God for this. Now all our attention can focus on helping to raise funds for the relief effort.”

Mr Smith, 45, will soon return to his work as a self-employed businessman and Mrs Smith, 34, to her job as a care assistant. Their sons are expected to return to Reculver School this week.