Police have recovered roll of honour plaques stolen from a war memorial after an appeal in the Telegraph & Argus.

The four bronze tributes to Bradford soldiers killed in the First World War were sold to a scrapyard in Laisterdyke.

Police were alerted by the scrap dealer who had read the story in the T&A and the plaques have now been returned to Bradford Council's parks department.

The theft, from the Eccleshill war memorial last month, caused outrage.

The four plaques, valued at £500 each and bearing the names of the servicemen who died, were prised from the stone monument.

Two Second World War Rolls of Honour were damaged and left at the scene by the thieves.

Today, the Council's principal parks and landscape manager, Barrie Tinker, said two of the plaques were intact, one will have to be replaced and three needed repairing at a foundry, but it was hoped all would be back in place in time for the Remembrance Sunday parade and procession at Eccleshill next month.

He said: "We are absolutely delighted. We don't know how long the repairs will take, or how much they will cost, but we are determined to have everything back in situ for Remembrance Sunday.

"The property company which owns the flats behind the memorial has also offered to contribute towards the cost of the repairs.

"The police rang to say they had found them in a scrapyard. Their scenes-of-crime people examined them and then returned them to us. It is good news."

Detective Inspector Noel Devine, of Bradford North CID, said they had been contacted by a scrapyard following publicity about the theft in the T&A.

He said: "The scrapyard bought the plaques and then realised something was wrong when one of the staff read the story in the T&A.

"They got in touch with us straight away because they realised the sensitive nature of the property they had bought and wanted it returned to its rightful place.

"It was a mean theft and an insult to the community and it is nice to have got them back."

Inquiries are continuing to trace the thieves and police are appealing for information about a blue Skoda Favorit estate, which could be linked to the theft.

The vehicle, which has the registration number L404 VLF, was recovered by police and is being examined.

Det Insp Devine added: "We are delighted to have recovered the plaques, but we are still determined to find whoever took them."

Anyone with information about the ownership of the vehicle, or who is responsible for the theft of the plaques, is asked to contact Bradford North CID on (01274) 376259, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

e-mail: steve.wright@bradford.newsquest.co.uk