A CLEAR out of a loft has resulted in a former Kidderminster carpet factory uncovering some special mementoes belonging to a British Empire Medal winner.

Ernie Pyke saved a box stuffed full of items being thrown in a skip when the former Coloroll Carpets factory was closed in 1991.

But Mr Pyke put the box away in his loft and never looked at it again until he was having a clear out at his home in Wilden, Stourport, earlier this month.

And it was only when he went through the box, he discovered a framed certificate marking the award of the BEM to Florence Jevons in 1951, along with photographs and newspaper cuttings from the time.

The drawing operator was given the honour to mark her 55 years of unbroken service at the company when it was known as Carpet Trades Ltd. She went on to complete 60 years without ever having time off sick before retiring.

Mr Pyke said he was hoping to trace any relatives of Florence Jevons so he could hand the items over to them.

He said: “I myself spent many years with the company having joined in 1967 and I was one of the last to leave when it closed in 1991.

“There were things in boxes that they were just going to throw away but they looked interesting so I took them home with me instead.

“I put them in the loft and never looked at them again before I stumbled across them during a clear out.

“I found this framed declaration regarding her BEM award. She got it for working 55 years there without a day off which is quite remarkable.

“I think it would be lovely to be able to present this certificate and the other items to her relatives. They are precious family memories and belong with them.”

Are you related to Florence Jevons? Get in touch by emailing editorial@kidderminstershuttle.co.uk