CHRISTMAS is a strange time for one young father who was abandoned at Gatwick Airport as a baby.
Steve Hydes, 26, was dubbed "Gary Gatwick" after being found in the ladies' toilets in April 1986.
Now he has two children of his own, including son Kian born in February this year, and is planning a busy family Christmas with his adoptive family and his partner Sammy Collins, 26.
But the landscape gardener admits his "real" parents are never far from his thoughts.
"It always plays on my mind," he told the Mirror. "I would like to find out, but having my own children I am wrapped up in my own family now. "Though, with all the family together, I do have thoughts about my birth mum and what she's doing now."
Mr Hydes made national headlines when he was found and four years ago he began a search for his original parents. But despite a television documentary last year and DNA tests, he remains no closer to the truth.
"We still get a lot of calls," said Keith Collins, Sammy's father, who is helping with the search. "But I think after the documentary Steve thought 'that's enough'. There is only so much he can do."
Mr Hydes was adopted by Sandra and John Hydes just before his first birthday and is now father to Kian and five-year-old Alanna.
With everyone wanting to see his son's first Christmas, Mr Hydes is thrilled by the prospect of a huge family celebration.
"We are rushing everywhere," he said. "It will be quite hectic, we are going to see the whole family."
Mr Hydes' search has unearthed a couple of leads, with suggestions he could have Irish heritage, possibly from a travelling community that was resident in Crawley during the 1980s.
With his DNA now on file there is a chance a match could suddenly appear.
But being a father himself, and with supportive and loving adoptive parents, the Littlehampton resident has a different outlook on his quest.
He said: "I have done so much searching I've come to the point where I've explored all I can.
"It would blow my mind if something came up now.
"It is always in the back of my mind, but I have my own family now. I don't have as much time for the search."
Anyone with information can call Mr Collins confidentially on 07712 157919.
