A COMMUNITY rallied round in a bid to find the lost medals of an army veteran attacked in a Keighley park.

The medals went missing when 69-year-old ex-infantryman George Gill was set upon in Lund Park on Remembrance Sunday.

On Saturday about a dozen metal detector enthusiasts were joined by local residents, touched by the plight of the former Duke of Wellington’s Regiment soldier, to scour the site.

The 50-or-so volunteers spread around the park and searched through bushes, undergrowth and even litter bins.

And although nothing was found, Riddlesden metal detectorist Stephen Auker (pictured) said he was overwhelmed by the public response.

“I think everybody has been touched by what’s happened and we wanted to do something to help,” said Mr Auker, 57, a retired IT specialist.

“We got permission from Bradford Council to use the detectors in the park and the word was spread through Twitter and social media.

“I am delighted I was able to play a small part in the search.”

l Two Keighley boys, aged 15 and 16, have been bailed after being arrested by police investigating the attack on Mr Gill.