MISSING trophies once stored in the basement of Accrington Town Hall are being hunted by councillors.

Some of Hyndburn's historic sporting trophies boasting the names of the borough's best sportsmen and women have been misplaced.

Many of the trophies are said to date back to 20th century leagues, with some of the clubs no longer existing.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones is now appealing for anyone in the borough who may know where the trophies are to come forward.

He said: "The trophies were taken without the council's authority from the basement of the Town Hall in the 70's and 80's.

"Presumably to sell many of these were allotments and other societal trophies from organisations that packed up many years ago.

"Quite simply our history is being lost and more recently some cricket trophies have been lost.

"The ones I am particularly interested in are the mid-week cricket league and the weekend league trophies.

"If you know the whereabouts please get in touch."

Mr Jones was handed a Billiards trophy by a resident who given it from someone else.

The trophy has not been seen for around 10 years.

Mr Jones said: "The trophy was missing for so long and most of these teams play without the winning prize.

"Billiards is an interesting game that is dying out.

"I am urging people to come to me directly and I will take good care of them.

"If there is nowhere to showcase them, I am thinking of putting them on display in my office.

"People don't want history to be lost and this is the only way to restore the town's heritage."

Tory Cllr Peter Britcliffe said: "We really need people to come forward because the trophies are important parts of our borough's history.

"Very often, these trophies appear from nowhere and they usually belong to discontinued clubs.

"I hope that people come forward to bring them back.

"Any help we will receive towards finding them will make a difference."

Anyone with information should email graham.jones.mp@parliament.uk.