MEDALS belonging to First World War victim Albert Cheesebrough have been presented to Towneley Hall museum, Burnley.

They were handed over by two of his grandchildren, Eric Midgley, now poppy day organiser in Burnley, and former Burnley footballer of the same name, Albert Cheesebrough.

The medals, East Lancashire Regiment cap badge, photograph, silk commemorating his death, scroll from King George V and certificates will go on show once extension work at the Hall is completed.

The display includes his first World War plaque, Victory medal, War Medal and 1914-15 Star for his service in the Dardanelles.

Private No. 1992 Cheeseborough served ten years in the Territorial Force. In 1914 he was drafted to Egypt and then to Gallipoli where on June 9 he was killed in action. He was aged 28 and the husband of Nancy, nee Almond.

They had four children, Florence, then aged six, who was later to become Eric 's mum, Albert junior, then aged only five, later to become father of the Burnley footballer, James, three, who never had children and Francis who died at the age of 18 months.

Private Cheesebrough worked as a weaver at Simpson and Baldwins in Tunnel Street, Whittlefield, Burnley.

Eric, who has written a book on cenotaphs and memorials to those from the Burnley area who lost their lives in conflict, said: "I was told how my granddad came to lose his life.

"He was in a trench when a sniper shot him through the temple. Death must have been instantaneous.

"He has no known grave because in that situation the identity tags were taken and then the trench was just filled in.

"He is named on the Helles memorial plaque in Gallipoli, Turkey, which I have been to see.

Eric added: " We wanted to present his medals to Towneley Hall because I could not bear the thought of them at any time finishing up on a flea market.

"To me it is morally wrong to put a price tag on medals awarded to people who have won them fighting for their country."

Local historian Mike Townend said the medals and other items would be shown in the new military display at the Hall after the current extension work was completed.

He said: "We want to concentrate on local men and women who were involved in the conflicts, probably going back to the Boer War."