A MAN who has had a ‘sentimental’ medal stolen from him twice has vowed to keep it on the sign it was taken from.

Críostóir Grayson first placed the marathon medal on the Dr Grayson Way sign, put up to commemorate his late brother, on April 9.

But the medal left as a memorial for his brother Robert was taken from the sign in Great Harwood on April 13, only to be found a day later.

It then went missing again on April 15 only to be found again on Monday after he posted an appeal on social media.

The medal, which Críostóir won in the Manchester Marathon on April 8, has since been returned to the sign.

Críostóir said the medal has been returned as he won’t allow the thieves to win and because of his ‘good faith in people’.

His brother Dr Robert Grayson died suddenly at 45 in September 2015. He was principal partner at Great Harwood Medical Group. He was a much-respected GP in the area.

Críostóir, who is originally from Rishton but now lives in County Kerry, Ireland, said: “My brother was a clever, funny, charismatic, hardworking, brilliant dad.

“He was also a brilliant GP to all his patients.

“So I wanted to leave a tribute at his road sign to show how much we are all proud of him.

“On April 9 the medal was left there, and I was informed it was missing on April 13.

“It was found in a bush near Morrisons on April 14 by a local woman’s daughter who kindly put it back.

“Sadly it went missing again on April 15, but after numerous social media posts it has been found again and is in the process of being put back there by another local.

Críostóir, who runs marathons as a hobby, runs with a lock of his brother's hair with him in every race, added: “It makes me kind of sad that we can’t leave memorials of our loved ones without them being taken.

“But my good faith in people makes me put it back.”

The death of the popular and well-known father of two and stepfather of two Dr Grayson sent shockwaves through the community he served.

It prompted a flood of tributes from patients, colleagues and local councillors.

His memory will live on in Great Harwood after the road close to his former medical practice was named in his honour.