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A homeless man feared dead by his family has been reunited with them after being found on the streets by a kind Scouser.

Jason Otter, who has slept rough for over a decade, became separated from his family following the death of his mum three years ago.

His brother Stewart Thompson said the family had been told Jason had been stabbed to death in Sheffield - but he was also known to frequent Liverpool and they had been told he had been seen in the city.

Last week, Mr Otter's family launched an appeal through the ECHO in an attempt to find him and, this weekend, they were reunited.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

On Thursday, Stewart said he couldn't believe it when he got a phone call and heard the voice of his long-lost brother.

He said: "He had been found, on Church Street, by a very kind hearted lady called Cazzie, from the charity hearts4homeless.

"She had recognised him from his picture in the ECHO and let him use her phone and he immediately called me.

"It was a massive relief. We were full of joy.

"We really thought that he had been killed."

(Image: Handout)

Stewart, who lives in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, but is originally from St Helens, cares for Jason's 12-year-old son Alex - who he said was overjoyed to hear his dad had been found.

And, on Sunday, Stewart said he, his wife Kim and Alex travelled down to Liverpool for the emotional reunion with Jason.

The 45-year-old said: "Alex thought his dad was dead, so it is just such a massive weight off his shoulders.

"He is so happy. The last time we all saw Jason was at my mum's funeral and that was three years ago - and he went off the rails after that.

"Seeing him for the first time after all this time was absolutely amazing.

"I didn't recognise him at first, because of the conditions he had been in on the streets.

"But he is here with us now and he is doing unbelievably well."

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Jason, 35, is now on the road to recovery and has been given a makeover by his family, who say he will now be staying with them in South Yorkshire.

Stewart added: "He is on his detox as he became addicted to heroin while on the streets - but he has had nothing since he came to live here and is doing really well.

"We are going to get him counselling too.

"We are very glad to have a happy ending to what was a very long drawn out and worrying time.

"He will be staying here now with us and his son.

"We are more than thankful to everyone who has helped and will never be able to thank Cazzie enough.

"Jason is already a different person and we are looking forward to the future all together."