THERE are hopes to reunite relatives with a long-lost bracelet of a WWII soldier, unearthed by metal detectorists in Israel a few weeks ago.

In an appeal from across the Mediterranean Sea, a renowned metal detectorist is hoping to find the family of Lieutenant James Clark, who is believed to have been an officer with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.

His bracelet, bearing the military ID 202637, was found a few weeks ago in a field near the beach city of Hadera and it is hoped that veterans and residents in the Forth Valley area might recognise the soldier.

Mr Gan Erez, a renowned metal detectorist in Israel, has been on a quest to return the item closer to home and acquired a photograph, believed to be of Lt Clark, from the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Museum.

However, with the trail of leads running cold, he spoke to the Advertiser to issue a public appeal, hoping someone may be able to connect him with the soldier's family.

Gan has been a passionate detectorist for some 40 years and works with a community of fellow enthusiasts in Israel.

He said: "We got to find this soldier, imagine it was you and someone gave you a souvenir from your grandfather or father when he was a soldier – it would be amazing to find his family."

Speaking of the find, he added: "He was stationed near a town called Hadera – it's pretty close by a beach.

"It was found in a field next to the beach with a metal detector just a few weeks ago."

People with a connection to the family are asked to email ganerez@hotmail.com.