Can you help solve the mystery of the lost birth certificate?

Fourways Self Drive, based in Whitchurch, has called for help in their search to re-locate the whereabouts of William Stanley Brown, or his family, after his birth certificate was found in one of their hire vehicles.

Fourways staff have tried in vain contacting the previous hirers of the large Mercedes van, but so far they have not been able to locate anyone to help return Mr Brown's birth certificate to him.

The certificate dates back to 1925 and staff are trying hard to find the family who left it.

Fourways branch manager Andy Millichamp said: "We would really like to be able to return the certificate to its owner as I'm sure it has real sentimental value to someone."

Mr Millichamp said as well as contacting the previous hirers he has spent time trying to track Mr Brown on the internet.

He added: "Although I have had no luck, it has made me realise just how much life William Brown must have seen in his 91 years – the Second World War, Elvis, 22 Olympics, the first man of the moon and the birth of the internet.

"Helping us to track down the owner will hopefully allow us to find out more about William and the life he has lived. The birth certificate was found wedged behind one of the fixed seats so sadly we can't even be sure how long it was there."

To help contact Mr Millichamp at Fourways on 01948 661327 or visit www.fvsd.co.uk