Emma McCann had only been in Maryport for two days when she realised she was famous.

Mrs McCann moved to Maryport from Stafford a week last Thursday.

Two days later she was browsing Maryport websites to find that a plaque was being unveiled to the country's first black policeman and her ancestor John Kent.

"I bundled up the four children but we got there too late to see the unveiling of a blue plaque in his honour.

"Someone directed us to the Settlement and we were there in time to hear all about him."

She also received a glass plaque from Tola Munro, chairman of the National Black Police Association.

"It was amazing," she said, "although no more amazing that discovering the Kent side of the family."

She said she had done a DNA to research her family tree and found that who she thought were her biological great grandparents were not. Instead she was traced back to Joseph Kent, John's brother.

"I am at the other end of the colour spectrum – I am so pale. I knew nothing about this part of my heritage.

"Coming to Maryport was a complete coincidence. We wanted somewhere near the sea for family health reasons and Maryport was the place that fit the bill. It was such a coincidence – and so was arriving here on this particular week."