A FARNHAM family is calling for public assistance to help find a missing army backpack, stolen from the back of a van following the Spean Bridge Commando Speed March, last month.

Owner Stuart Paterson, has taken the bergen rucksack around the world with him while he was in the army, where he finished as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2007.

It also accompanied him on six operational tours, countless parachute jumps and many years of running the Spean Bridge Commando Speed March.

Daughter Jess Paterson said: “It holds so much sentimental value and we’re really hoping you can help us secure its safe return.

“It is a 120-litre green and brown army rucksack and has the Medics DZ recognition flash painted on it. Inside there are belongings, of no value to anyone, to make up the 36lb weight, including a cooker.

“We think it was either taken from North Avenue in Heath End on Thursday, October 13, or near the fire station in Farnham over the weekend of October 14.

“We would desperately like this to be returned. We suspect that the person that took it may ditch it when they realise there is no value to the bag and its contents. Please keep your eye out for it, it would mean so much to us if it could be returned.”

The bag can also be identified by its unique zip code, 16/16/9882PATERSON.