A MEDAL belonging to a Westhoughton soldier who died in the Boer War has been donated by his family to a military display.

The Queen's South African medal, which belonged to Private Jack Heyes, who served with the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers, was taken to a fair in Harwood by his great granddaughter Margaret Warburton.

Mr Heyes, who lived in Church Lane, Westhoughton, was killed in action at the age of 29 at Spion Kop during the South African Boer War in 1900.

Mrs Warburton, aged 55, of Astley Road, Bradshaw, found her great grandfather's medal when her father Fred Hampson died last year.

She said: "There was a note from my mother Joyce - Jack's granddaughter - with the medal.

"It said she did not want it hidden away in a drawer, but likewise it should not be sold for a few pounds on a flea market."

A history researched by Mr Hampson accompanied the medal, explaining that Jack Heyes had joined the army in 1889 and had been posted to Cape Town in December 1899.

He was part of a force of 1,600 men attempting to capture an unknown mountain on a dark drizzly night on January 24, 1900, and was among 72 men killed by the Boers' rifle fire.

Mrs Warburton also had several photographs of Mr Heyes' son, Jack, who died of diptheria when he was just five years old, and who featured in a book about war hero orphans, wearing his father's medal.

Having seen the advert for Saturday's military fair in the Bolton Evening News, she decided to take the medal along to find out more about it.

Mrs Warburton, who has two children and three step-children, said: "I hadn't intended to donate the medal when I went, but it seemed the ideal situation.

"Now the medal will be displayed for others to see as my mother wanted. Handing it over was quite emotional - particularly because I remember Jack's wife Alice Greenhalgh, who died when I was 17." The collection will be used as part of a display of military memorabilia planned for several venues in Bolton next year, which Mrs Warburton intends to attend with pride.

Saturday's event, held at Longsight Church Hall, Longsight Road, attracted 135 visitors, who took all kinds of military memorabilia for valuation.

Organiser Bill Holden said: "It was a great success. It is especially worthwhile when such local treasures are unearthed."

Due to its popularity, the free valuation service is being continued over the phone, call Mr Holden on 01204 436501.