A WAR hero is celebrating after his treasured medal which was stolen in a burglary was returned to him - thanks to the Bolton Evening News.

Alan Peters, aged 81, was distraught when his Second World War Distinguished Flying Medal was taken from his home in Farnworth

His heartbreak was reported in the Bolton Evening News.

Now the thief has had a change of heart after reading of the distress caused to Mr Peters.

He has anonymously returned the medal to Bolton Evening News reporter Kathryn Eccles.

And Mr Peters said: "I still can't believe I've got it back.

The medal was placed in a padded envelope delivered to our offices, but it had no note inside. Nor was there a stamp on the envelope

We handed the medal to police before it was returned to Mr Peters and they are now studying CCTV footage taken from inside the Bolton Evening News offices in Churchgate to see if they can find out how the envelope was delivered to us.

Fingerprints have been taken from the envelope.

Mr Peters, who has two children and four grandchildren, signed up for the RAF as an 18-year-old.

He flew 56 dangerous missions over Germany as a rear gunner on a Lancaster bomber. His plane was hit by enemy fire on a number of occasions.

The medal was awarded to airmen involved in enemy contact.

It was inscribed with Mr Peters' name around the edge and was taken along with £3.50 and a stainless steel geometry set when thieves ransacked his home while he was out playing bingo on Wednesday, February 16.

The medal was in a box in a bedroom which was ransacked.

Mr Peters said he wanted to thank the Bolton public for the support he had been given.

He said: "When the police called to say they had got it back, a wave of relief just swept over me. I had given up hope of ever seeing it again and was upset about it.

"Police who have handled the inquiry have been excellent and I'm sure the publicity has helped.

"People in the street have been stopping me asking if I've got the medal back and I understand quite a few people have offered rewards.

"It's been nice to know that people do care."

His medal was sent to him through the post with a letter from King George VI thanking him for his efforts.

Insp Chris Makin, who covers the Bolton South area, said: "On behalf of Bolton Police, I'd like to thank all members of the public and the Bolton Evening News in particular for all their assistance on the investigation of this offence.

"It's really gratifying to recover this valuable item which as tremendous sentimental value to Mr Peters.

"Enquiries are continuing into this burglary and we will be doing everything we can to bring the offenders to justice."