A TELEGRAM relaying the news of a soldier's death is one of the Second World War treasures discovered in a Blackburn loft.

A tiny diary, love letters and a certificate of death are among the pieces of memorabilia unearthed during a loft conversion.

The hunt is now on for members of the Aspin family who lived in Russell Street in 1944 or soldier Jim Whittaker in a bid to re-unite the personal mementos with the correct owner.

A man dropped them in to a British Legion representative in Tesco in Blackburn as they were collecting for the annual poppy appeal.

The original Post Office telegram addressed to Mrs R Aspin details the death of Lance Corporal Frank Aspin, soldier number 1526678.

Written on the telegram are the dreaded words "Deeply regret to inform you. Report received from Western Europe. Died during a battle accident, March 15 1945. No further particulars at present."

But also in the bundle of crumpled keep sakes are romantic letters and army Christmas wish telegrams.

The letters from Italy, Sicily and Libya are between a Miss F Aspin, also addressed as Margaret, and Jim Whittaker.

One letter reads: "You know that I am loving you the same as ever and sending you my best wishes. Loving kisses until my next letter."

One aerogram from Mr Whittaker's mother living in Fortland Street details the latest challenges faced by the army and says: "It seems you will be seeing home land again soon by the message of Mr Churchill so lots of love".

A dishevelled diary from 1942 written in green and black fountain pen was also found with the letters.

In the diary is a map tracking the soldier's route across Europe and snippets of daily life including Saturday night dances, coal fatigue and being booked for not carrying a gas mask.

Brian Barnes, chairman of the Royal British Legion currently heading the poppy appeal, said: "It was completely by chance that these sacred tokens have come into our hands and we will treat them with the greatest respect until we can find the true owner.

"They have been kept for so many years they are a true treasure and they are quite overwhelming to look at."

Anyone who may know more should contact the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on 01254 298208.