A TOWN'S mayor is hoping to solve the mystery of what happened to a war memorial.

Until about 1949, a wooden plaque bearing the names of those who perished in the First World War adorned Loftus Town Hall, in east Cleveland.

But the onset of rot prompted officials to take it down with a view to preserving it for posterity.

A meeting was held at which the local church, the British Legion, and the Tradesmen's Reform Club all expressed interest in procuring it.

The memorial was packed into a case - and what happened to it next remains a mystery.

Loftus Mayor, Councillor Eric Jackson, is hoping to solve the puzzle and restore the plaque.

He said: "It was a carved shrine with an arch over the top of it and it looked a bit like a nativity scene.

"The last I heard of it after it was taken down was on May 26, 1950, when it was mentioned in a newspaper article."

The only other remaining records of the memorial are photographs of it at the town hall, and in guides of the town.

After it was removed, it was replaced by a Second World War cenotaph in the High Street gardens.

Coun Jackson said: "If it couldn't be restored, at least it could be treasured."

Anyone with information on the the memorial is asked to ring him on (01287) 641516, or Loftus Town Council on (01287) 641600