A SCOTTISH soldier who served in Cyprus in the Fifties is trying to trace former colleagues.

Retired painter and decorator James Abrahams, who was with the Royal Signals, has managed to contact comrades across the country.

Now he hopes to find two Leigh girls - Lilian Twist and Dorothy Simms, whose nickname was Ricky.

James, 62, who did his National Service from 1955-57, said: "As you get older you start to think about past times and I thought I might be a good idea to organise a reunion. When you're young you lose touch, get married, and with working and bringing up a family have little time to keep in communication. Now is the time to try to get everyone together.

"When we came out of the Forces Lilian wrote for a while but we eventually lost contact.

"The girls were based at Episcopi."

Anyone who can help can contact James at 116E, Queens Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH4 2BG or call him on 0131 3154158

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