A MYSTERIOUS box of love letters found by a Bolton woman and dating back 20 years was found on a disused rail line in Bolton.

Barbara Jones, of Somerton Road, Breightmet, found the red cash box and its contents at the back of her house.

The letters had been so badly weather-beaten they had to be destroyed shortly after being handed in to Astley Bridge police, but Barbara hopes to contact the owner of the box.

Some letters had been sent to a Miss Cathy MacKinnis at addresses in Prestwich, Manchester and Colwyn Bay.

Barbara tried to trace the woman through directory enquiries but without success.

She said: "It appears the letters were sent by a naval man named Rick to his girlfriend. A number of pictures were in the box, one of a girl aged nine or 10. Judging by the dress she is wearing, it could have been taken in the 1950s or 60s."

Other items included a letter sent by her to a girlfriend while she was at school or college, cards and tickets from bouquets of flowers.

Barbara can be contacted on Bolton 388660.

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