ONE of Britain's most famous regiments has issued an urgent appeal - for a second-hand pair of boots.

But it's not just any old footwear the Green Howards are after - they need genuine soldiers' boots from the Crimean War.

The regimental museum in Richmond, North Yorkhire, has a very rare private soldier's uniform dating from the Crimean War, and it is complete except for the boots. Textile expert Caroline Rendall is restoring the costume, and museum curator Roger Chapman is trying to find the boots that go with it.

The museum's problem is exacerbated by a disaster that overtook the supply ships just after the Battle of Inkerman in November 1854.

A huge storm wrecked 21 vessels, including the Prince, which sank off Balaklava harbour with 14,000 pairs of boots on board.

As a result, some of the British troops faced the rest of the Crimean campaign - including two harsh winters - with their feet wrapped in cloth.

Others used boots looted from dead Russian solders, or even from their own dead comrades.

Mr Chapman said: "The private soldier's uniform is a rare survival from 150 years ago. It is usually only the uniforms of officers that come down to us, so we are taking great care of it.

"We hope if anyone knows of a pair of boots from the Crimean period, of the type worn by the lower ranks, they will contact us.

"They would add a finishing touch to our museum display - especially if they are with us for the 150th anniversary of the war in 2004."