Telegraph & Argus readers are being asked to help trace a rare lapel badge worn by some of Bradford's bravest soldiers.

The city's First World War heroes were each given the red and blue enamelled badges to pin on their uniforms before they went off to fight at the Somme.

Next year a living history group plans to remember the men of the Bradford Pals in a special tribute on the 90th anniversary of the battle of the Somme.

One of the members of the Great War Society is former Bradford man David Whithorn who has spent the last 30 years researching the Pals story.

He and other society members plan to mark the anniversary on July 1, 2006 of the start of the battle by kitting themselves out as the Bradford Pals.

And they want to make it as authentic as possible either by having at least one of the original lapel badges to wear or to uncover some of the Pals' special silver buttons inscribed with the city's coat of arms.

Mr Whithorn, who now lives in Basingstoke, said: "I have sought in vain for one of these lapel badges or silver buttons from the Bradford Pals. If any reader knows the whereabouts of any, I would like to hear from them."

Mr Whithorn and other volunteer recruits from the Great War Society will advance on the French village of Serre next July where so many of the Bradford soldiers sacrificed their lives.

In honour of the men who never came home, wreaths will be laid and a solitary bugler will play the Last Post at sunset, close to the Bradford Trench at Serre Road No. 1 cemetery which marks the spot where the Pals went over the top.

Official records showed 650 Bradford Pals left the trenches within the first hours of that July day in 1916 only to be gunned down - 500 of them were listed as casualties.

Only 50 of the troops answered a rollcall later that day, others were missing or lay dying.

It is estimated 1,700 men from Bradford, including the two Pals battalions, lost their lives within the first few hours of the Somme battle starting.

Last month, the T&A reported on plans for Somme tributes, prompting a keen response from Bradford families connected with the Pals.

Mr Whithorn said: "I've had several letters and e-mails from people interested in coming to see us at Serre next year to commemorate the actions of the Bradford Pals.

"I was wondering if there might be a Bradford coach company interested in running a tour from the city?"

Since 2003 Bradford has paid its own annual tribute to the Pals by hosting a special Somme service next to the battalions' memorial in Centenary Square attended by the Lord Mayor. This year's service on July 1 will be at 11am.

Anyone who can help Mr Whithorn find one of the missing lapel badges or buttons or who would be interested in finding out more about the Bradford Pals' Somme Tribute can either visit the Great War Society's website at www. tgws. fsnet. co. uk, or write to him at 6 Brambling Close, Kempshott, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 5JX.