AN elderly Alton man is asking people to keep a lookout at auctions and car boot sales after the theft of precious wartime medals and other military paraphernalia from his home in the town.

At the age of almost 80, Roy Barrow, a retired antiques dealer, was attempting to declutter his workshop when the incident occurred.

He had decided to off-load his collection of copper and brass ware – items including old fashioned bathroom taps, coal scuttles, bed warmers and fire irons – much of it from the antiques shop he had run for several years in Bordon.

The lot, he said, weighed in the region of 100 cwt and he had agreed a price with a dealer who turned up with his van to collect it.

According to Mr Barrow, the price was based on scrap metal value and would have enabled the buyer to make a handsome resale profit.

Mr Barrow said he had started helping the man carry the boxed goods to his van but halfway through had received a telephone call.

While he was taking the call the buyer continued to transport his purchases to his van and had completed the job by the time Mr Barrow came off the phone.

It wasn't until two to three days later that Mr Barrow realised other things were missing from his workshop.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.