THE HUNT is on to find the frame for a First World War memorial which was returned to East Lancashire after a 40-year absence.

The wooden memorial contains the names of 64 Blackburn soldiers and is believed to have been housed in Bank Top Sunday School, which was one of three Sunday schools attached to Chapel Street Congregational Church.

After the Sunday school in West Street closed in 1961 and the church was demolished in 1975 the memorial disappeared.

But the two metre by one metre oak memorial was found among antiques and old furniture at an auction in Suffolk last summer by a member of the national group Friends of War Memorials.

It was bought for £60 and rededicated to Hollins Grove Congregational Church, Darwen, because that was one of the nearest congregational churches -- minus its old wooden frame.

Bill Baldwin, the last superintendent at Bank Top Sunday School, recognised the memorial when the Lancashire Evening Telegraph ran an article on its discovery in June.. But he quickly realised the frame was missing after talking to other former church members.

Mr Baldwin, 74, of Springfield Avenue, Cherry Tree, said: "The two pieces have obviously become separated over the years and we are now hoping that someone may have it in their cellar or attic and then we can put the two pieces together. It could even still be in Blackburn."

When the memorial was moved to the Darwen church pastor Roland Dowell, said: "I'm sure there will still be families in the borough who have their relatives on this memorial and that will be very important to them."

Anyone with information on the missing frame can contact Mr Baldwin on 01254 209268.