WE ALL have piles of junk up in our attics that has been passed down through the generations.

But Graham Hughes has a particular item that he believes is not junk and is appealing to Adver readers to help him solve the mystery behind it.

The 72-year-old, of Covingham, is desperate to find out the history behind a blue sash which he believes belonged to his father.

Arthur Hughes, Graham’s dad, died about 10 years ago at the age of 93, and the sash, along with other various items was passed on to his son.

They have remained in Arthur’s loft until his curiosity got the better of him and he decided to take action.

The blue sash, which has a white stripe down either side of the material, features a prominent coat of arms badge, but Arthur does not know exactly where it has come from or what it means.

“It has been in the family for many years and I have just had it in my loft, but now I am quite curious to find out what it has come from and if my father belonged to anything that I didn’t know about,” he said.

“As far as I know, he didn’t belong to anything - he was a bus driver for many years so I don’t know if it was to do with that.

“He didn’t go in the services because of his job, he was a fire watcher. It has been eliminated that it is military and it’s not masonic, it’s not the Buffalos or anything like that.”

Arthur was Swindon born and bred and spent his life in Rodbourne.

“He always lived in Swindon,” said Graham. “I can’t even be sure that it was my dad’s, it could have been passed on to him.

“It has always just been around and I have never known anything about it so curiosity has got the better of me I guess.

“I have shown it to a few friends and I am going to go down to the museum to see if they can help me out but I would be interested to know if any Adver readers can help me out.

“I don’t want to sell it though of course, obviously I want to keep it, I would just like to know something about it.”

Anyone who can help Graham should call him on 01793 525663.