A FORMER Leigh landlord is seeking the family of a mystery 20th century sporting star.

Retired licensee Denis Stanton and ex-policeman pal Vinny Kearns have spent a year trying to solve the riddle of a cap found in the loft at the Sportsman Hotel, Leigh, thirty years ago, but have drawn a blank.

Now the duo have turned to Journal readers for help.

Denis, who lives in St Helens, was minehost at the Sportsman from 1973-6, and discovered the maroon velvet cap awarded in the 1901-2 season in the attic.

It languished in a drawer for 30 years until it was given to Vinny last year who embarked on a mission to trace its history.

The cap, size 67/8, bears a peach, red and green badge in the shape of a tudor rose and contains a shield outlined in gold with a fleur de lis embroidered in beige on green at the top and a beige lion on red at the bottom.

Inside there is a ribbon with the name G Heath handwritten in ink and a label -- Nicholl and Brown cap makers Halifax.

The twosome have tried to trace the makers, contacted Halifax papers and Leigh's local historian to no avail.

Now they are asking the people of Leigh to help solve the puzzle.

Denis said: "We don't even know what sport it was awarded for, but it looks as if it could be a France v England match of some kind. We are on an assignment to reunite it with the rightful family. I know if my grandfather had won an honour like this I would love to have it to preserve it before it falls apart."

If anyone can help solve the puzzle, contact Lesley Richards at the Journal on 01942 672241 or email lesley.richards@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk.