A COLLECTION of more than 200 postcards dating back to Edwardian times has been recovered from a man arrested by police on suspicion of theft in Bolton.

The man, who was released on police bail without charge, told officers he discovered the postcards, written mainly in French, inside a plastic bag in a skip in Chorley Old Road.

They appear to originate in Spain, France, Switzerland and Germany and date from 1903 to 1915. Many are black and white and a handful feature French postmarks.

Bolton postcard and stamp experts say they could be worth around £300.

Police fear they are part of a personal set collected by someone over the years and urged anyone with information to get in touch. They have not been reported stolen or missing.

PC Denise Garratt, of Astley Bridge Police Station, said: "I cannot imagine anyone would want to throw this collection away, particularly if they are valuable. We think they belong to someone who may well cherish them.

"Someone could be missing them, but then again they could be part of a house clearance."

The postcards, a handful of which are in colour, feature landscape images from across Europe. They were found in two green video cassette boxes. They date back to the First World War and the reigns of monarchs Edward VII and George V.

A postcard booklet of French castles and a selection of First World War battlegrounds in France is also included. Harold Howard, of Bolton Philatelic Society, estimated the set's value at several hundred pounds.

The avid postcard collector said: "There is certainly some monetary value because of their excellent condition, particularly the ones dating back to the First World War. They are all in extremely good condition for their age and experts will certainly be interested in them.

"Normally postcards with stamps on them are worth more than ones without. The actual set still in their booklets are also very interesting." PC Garratt added: "If anyone recognises them or knows who they belong to, I would urge them to contact police."

Anyone with information should contact PC Garratt at Astley Bridge Police Station on 0161 856 5729.