POLICE are hoping to return a war hero's collection of medals to his family after uncovering the haul in Edinburgh.

The medals, which belonged to Private William Aitken of the Cameron Highlanders, were found during a inquiry last month, but police have been unable to trace the soldier's family.

The medals, found in a "Bronnley" soap box, included service honours from the Sudan and the Boer War and a Victory medal from the First World War. A Military Cross and two Cameron badges were also in the collection.

Police believe the medals, said to be worth between £2,500 and £3,000, were stolen, but the owner may not know they are missing. Officers also found two medals from the First World War and a Leith Technical College medal belonging to another soldier – Private Richard Smith of the Scots Guards.

Inquiries have so far revealed that Mr Aitken, whose family home was in the Trinity area of Edinburgh, died in 1943.

Police said they believed Mr Aitken's family included an Isobelle and John Aitken, who attended Trinity Secondary School during the Second World War.

Although officers have traced former school friends, they do not know where the Aitken family is now.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "We are extremely keen to reunite the collection with its rightful owners, and we are especially anxious to trace members of Mr Aitken's family."