AN OLD soldier was jumped by a gang of thugs who stripped him of his beret and poppy in a heartless attack as he made his way to a Remembrance Sunday service.

George Gill's medals, awarded for service in Ulster and Cyprus during his 18 year infantry career with the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, are also now missing.

Police are hunting the teenagers responsible.

Mr Gill, 69, revealed the attack, which almost sent him sprawling to the ground, happened shortly after his release from hospital for heart surgery.

Doctors had ordered him to take it easy following a week in Airedale Hospital.

"I was taking it easy, until this happened," Mr Gill said.

He was walking alone through Lund Park, a short distance from his home, when the yobs struck.

"Someone had been having a bonfire in the park and I was just thinking it would cost the council money to clear up the mess, then the next thing I knew these lads came around the back of me.

"I nearly fell down as they grabbed my beret and ran off laughing and joking.

"They also ripped the poppy from my blazer and left it on the floor. It was ruined so I binned it."

He also realised his medals had disappeared during the incident and a search of the area has failed to locate either the beret or the medals.

As the yobs grabbed for his beret, his face was scratched though he escaped serious injury.

"The beret was my regimental one. Someone gave me another, and a badge, on the day but it is not the same.

"It was a terrible thing to do to someone on such an important day. I don't know what their parents are thinking of, the way lads like that are brought up," said Mr Gill, who lives nearby.

Police have also searched the area but Mr Gill's possessions have not been traced.

Inspector Sue Sanderson, who leads the Keighley Area Neighbourhood Team, said: "We would appeal to anyone who saw a group of Asian youths acting suspiciously in the park at around the time of this incident, or anyone who may have seen them leaving the park afterwards.

"We believe there would have been other people around at the time, perhaps also making their way to the Remembrance Day service.

"While not injured, the victim is understandably shaken by the loss of his beret and his medals, and I would urge anyone with information to contact Bradford District CID on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."