By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 16:17, Monday, 30 January 2012

These six medals commemorate a long career in the armed forces, serving Great Britain. But exactly who they belong to is a mystery.

Stephen McKie with the medals

They were found by a Carlisle dry cleaning firm at the bottom of a laundry basket about a month ago.

Stephen McKie, who runs McKie and Daughters Dry Cleaning and Laundry Service in Lonsdale Street, had expected the owner to return to collect them, but four weeks on they remain unclaimed.

He contacted the News & Star in the hope that an article may jog someone’s memory – and says if they aren’t claimed he will take them to military experts at Carlisle Castle.

“They were in the very bottom of the basket and could have been there for some time. They are quite impressive. Someone will miss them but they probably haven’t realised they’ve gone yet. They are the kind of thing you wouldn’t get out often,” he said.

The colourful strip of miniature medals, which date from the 1960s to 1990s, include those awarded for service in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and the former Yugoslavia and Cyprus. There is also one awarded for long service.

Mr McKie believes the medal strip, which can be pinned to a lapel, must have been in the pocket of a suit as staff would have seen them if they had been pinned to the front.

“We check all the pockets before they go in the machine, so they must’ve fallen out in the basket and gone right to the bottom,” he added.

“I’ve found all kinds of things in the past but never medals. It would be nice if they did get them back. They are sentimental to someone.

“Hopefully they’ll see them in the paper and suddenly realise they’re gone.”

If you are the owner, contact Mr McKie on 01228 596651.

First published at 11:30, Monday, 30 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk