WINNERS from a now-defunct speech and drama competition are being urged to return their trophies to the organisers.

A lack of volunteers forced Colne Luther Greenwood Memorial Festival committee to suspend its speech and drama section indefinitely, and the last competition was held at the end of November 2015.

“Several cups and shields have gone missing, and we’re anxious to get them back,” said festival chairman Eric Beardsworth.

“Some are fairly valuable while others aren’t, but they’re all part of the festival’s history.”

The speech and drama competition, held originally at Colne Municipal Hall and later at St John’s Church in Albert Road, used to attract dozens of entries from groups and individuals in the festival’s heyday, but over the years it dwindled and there were fewer people left to organise it.

“Competitors used to come from all over Lancashire, especially from the Blackburn area. Unfortunately, in the last few years some trophies were awarded and we lost track of the winners,” Mr Beardsworth added.

“It’s possible that some competitors have moved house, or some have put them away in a cupboard or attic and forgotten about them, but wherever they are they still remain the property of the Luther Greenwood Festival.”

Anyone who may have a missing trophy is asked to contact 01282 867152.

Meanwhile, the festival’s annual music competition will be held over two weekends.

Singers and pianists aged up to 18 will compete at The Muni on Saturday morning, November 25, and six youth and adult choirs will sing in the afternoon. Adult singers compete on December 2 at St John’s.

Colne’s festival began as a music contest in 1900, and later included drama and dance. It was renamed after Luther Greenwood, the successful long-serving conductor of Colne Orpheus Glee Union male choir, after his death in 1946.

The festival’s annual dance competition, usually attracting nearly 100 young competitors, is held at the beginning of June.