A bereaved brother is appealing for help to track down a sentimental gift he made for his sister's wedding.

Ian Stephenson, 72, was just a child when his sister Patricia got married in 1961.

As a school woodwork project, he created an oak stool with a rattan seat as a present to mark her big day.

But, after his sister died last month, the stool was taken with all her other furniture in a house clearance.

Ian contacted Impact Furniture Services in Workington, which had been brought in to clear the furniture, but he learned that the 18in-high, 16in-square stool had already been sold.

Now he is trying to track down its buyer to see if they will allow him to buy it back.

Ian, of Bransty, Whitehaven, went on to have a career as a design engineer.

He said: "The stool is of huge sentimental value. It means a huge amount."

Ian appealed on Facebook for help to trace the missing piece of furniture and was amazed at the response.

He said: "I'm absolutely gobsmacked. It's incredible."

But he has not yet had a breakthrough in tracking down where the stool has ended up.

He is hoping either the buyer, or someone who knows who they are, will see his appeal and get in touch.

He added: "Hopefully they'll be receptive to me making an offer to buy it back."

Ian and his sister, who was six years older than him, each attended Monkwray Junior School.

She went on to Whitehaven Grammar School, while he studied at Richmond School.

His sister, whose married name was Patricia Shepherd, lived in St Bees after she got married, then later returned to Whitehaven.

Anyone who can help Ian track down the stool can call him on 07899846250.