POLICE are hoping to trace the relatives of a British soldier after medals, ID cards and other personal documents were found abandoned in a hedge.

The bag of documents and other items relate to Sgt Ronald Thomas Price and show he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in India in the 1940s.

Also found were army buttons and badges as well as medals from the first world war, travel documents and various road maps of the UK. There is also a black and white photograph of Sgt Price at the Taj Mahal with the message “All my love, Ronald xx” on the back.

The bag of items were found in a hedge in Billingham and may have been removed earlier from a nearby skip being used by workmen clearing the property of a recently deceased person. The documents suggest Mr Price may also have connections in Chesham and in Amersham.

Kieran O’Rourke of the Cleveland Police Property Store said: “We believe the documents may have come from a house that was being cleared though the deceased occupant did not share the same name.

“These are personal belongings which may carry a great deal of sentimental value and we would like to return them to relatives of Mr Price if possible.”

Anyone with information can contact Mr O’Rourke on 01642-303370.