A PHOTOGRAPH is the only memento a North-East firm has of a piece of its heritage.

The treasured picture held by chairman Donald Fothergill is the nearest he has got to holding historic export medals stolen during a break in at the offices of lift manufacturers Pickerings Europe, in Norton Road, Stockton, 31 years ago.

As highlighted in The Northern Echo this week, the company, which employs 500 people, is appealing for the return of commemorative medals struck to commemorate trade missions to Bremen in 1874, Philadelphia in 1876 and Amsterdam in 1888.

The company is making a video detailing its proud past - which now spans three centuries - and desperately wants the medals returned.

Mr Fothergill said the medals were of no value to anyone except Pickerings.

"If they were returned to us by post or simply dropped off at reception no questions would be asked and no action would follow," he said.

Cleveland Police said earlier this week they were aware of the company's amnesty offer and hoped the medals would be returned.