A VETERAN of the Korean War has had one of his three stolen campaign medals returned with the help of the Bury Times.

Children found the 68-year-old Unsworth man's United Nations Service medal in Butterstile Lane, Prestwich, a week after it was stolen from his home.

After being alerted to a story in the Bury Times about the theft, the boys took their discovery to the police.

Now, officers have returned the medal to the former Royal Artillery soldier.

Still missing are the ex-gunner's Korean Service and Korean Peace medals.

All three were stolen earlier this month from the pensioner's home in St George's Road by a conman. The medals are valued at around £200. The former soldier, who does not want to be named, said: "I'm very happy I've got it back.

"But I'm not too surprised this medal was thrown away by the thief as it had my name and rank engraved on the side. They knew they probably wouldn't be able to sell it because of that."

Further good news for the ex-soldier is that colleagues have promised to get him a new Korean Peace medal to replace the one which was stolen.

It was presented to the pensioner when he returned to Korea in 1983.

He explained: "I am a member of the Manchester branch of the Korean War Veterans' Association.

"They are going back to Korea sometime next month and they say they will bring me back the Peace medal."

That only leaves the Korean Service medal still outstanding among the stolen property.