A WAR veteran lost his beret and medals after being set upon by a gang of youths while on his way to a Remembrance Service in Keighley, police said today.

The 69 year-old man was walking through Lund Park yesterday morning when he was approached by a group of Asian teenagers, who police believe were aged around 16 or 17.

The man suffered slight scratches to his face as one of the group knocked his beret off.

He later noticed two medals missing, although it is unclear as to whether these were taken as the gang fled the scene, police said.

Officers later searched the area, but the medals are so far unaccounted for.

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."