An Oxford couple who adopted' a young Gambian mother and her baby twins have split up and she has returned to Africa.

Peter Blackwell, 62, and Linda Buchwald, 58, met hotel dancer Evelyn Mendy while holidaying in the Gambia, two years ago, and invited her to Britain after she lost her job while pregnant.

Miss Mendy and her twin sons Simon and Peter, who were one in April, arrived to stay at their home in Wick Farm, Barton, in November and was seeing Ms Buch- wald's son, Simon Bonfani.

Mr Blackwell and Ms Buchwald married early this year but have now split and Miss Mendy has gone home with her sons because of the relationship troubles.

But yesterday, Ms Buchwald said she hoped to bring Miss Mendy, 23, and the children back soon, after the necessary paperwork had been sorted out.

Ms Buchwald, who runs the Top and Tails pet grooming business in Barns Road, Cowley, said: "Peter and I have split up. We had only just got married, and I expect the divorce will come through next year.

"Evelyn has gone back to the Gambia with the boys, but I am hoping that she will come back here and live with me by the end of the year.

"I love Evelyn and have a unique relationship with her. It's mutual. She turns to me for motherly advice all the time, particularly for guidance on bringing up the boys.

"It's good to know that your advice is appreciated and we have an unbreakable bond."

Miss Mendy added: "I love Linda like a mother. She's been wonderful to me, and I hope to return to Britain to be with her and her family soon."

When Ms Buchwald and Mr Blackwell met Miss Mendy, she had been sacked from the resort where she was working and was five months pregnant.

They immediately decided to cancel the rest of their holiday to pay for her hospital treatment, rent her a flat and pay for her bills.

The couple feared Miss Mendy would end up on the streets and the children would be sent to an orphanage. They visited the Gambian Embassy to arrange for her and the twins to visit and live in Oxford.

When Miss Mendy arrived in November, an overjoyed Ms Buchwald said: "It was essential we were all together for Christmas and the wedding but I never thought it was going to happen."

Customers at Ms Buchwald's shop handed over cash to help after reading about the sponsorship in the Oxford Mail and people also donated a pushchair and car seats.