A grandmother has been reunited with an iconic number plate that she sold more than 40 YEARS AGO. Hilary Badhams, 67, fell in love with her first car, a green Austin Mini and nicknamed it the 'Green Pea' after it arrived with an '800 PEA' number plate in 1967. The former headteacher even met her husband, Dennis, 69, when the engineer came to repair the car in 1972, and the pair were engaged just a fortnight later. Hilary, of Alfreton, Derbys., sold the Green Pea in 1973 to replace it with a newer model, and lost the nostalgic plate. In the years since the proud Mini owner has gone on to have a son, Paul, 42, and two grandchildren, Annabelle, six, and Jack, nine. However, when buying a British Racing Green Mini Cooper in January this year Hilary did a search for the memorable plate, and was staggered to see it on the market. After forking out £1,200, she has been reunited with the registration plate - 44 years after letting it go.