THEIR bravery made them the stuff of legends, but now a First World War medal given to an Accrington Pal is being offered on the internet for less than £5.

Civic leaders in Hyndburn -- who last weekend unveiled a memorial to the Pals -- said putting the medal on the e-bay internet auction site was a 'sad' way to remember the Pals.

Today Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe today said the authority would attempt to buy the medal to bring an end to it being touted around the web.

Details of the medal, and who it was awarded to, have been placed on the worldwide site and the medal has a reserve price of just £4.99.

The seller, whose details are disguised by a 'user name' on the auction site, states that the victory medal - given to all soldiers who survived the First World War - was not of interest to her.

The Pals - who were among the first to go 'over the top' in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 - have become a symbol of the bravery of the tens of thousands of young men who marched to war in 1914.

On the e-bay auction, it states the medal belonged to a Pte Haworth, who was from Bacup. The Accrington Pals included soldiers from across East Lancashire.

The medal also comes with paperwork which states Pte Haworth had to have a finger amputated in the war after being shot.

Pals historian Bill Turner, from Accrington, said: "From the records I have collected, it would appear Pte Haworth returned to the battlefield after being injured.

"That was quite common, and obviously testament to the bravery of men in the war.

"I am not surprised it is up for sale, but to be diplomatic, all I will say is that I do not collect medals.

"The Pals medals seems to create more interest, simply because everyone knows who the Pals are."

Mike Roden, who runs a website dedicated to the First World War, said: "There is a thriving market in memorabilia like medals.

"Although on the face of it it sounds dreadful that a medal awarded to an Accrington Pal might be offered for as little as £4.99, so much would depend on what the medal was for.

"The Victory medal was given to a lot of people, so I wouldn't expect it to fetch more than £7."

Coun Britcliffe said: "I think it is very sad that the memory of these brave men is being flogged online for £5. It cheapens their memory. It doesn't matter how many were made, it's the fact that they did something so brave that matters.

Did you know Pte Haworth or his family? Contact us on 01254 232036.