LONDON (AFP) – Staff at Bristol Airport in southwest England have appealed for help to find the owners of an antique teddy bear left in the departure lounge last year with a photograph dated 1918.

The black-and-white picture shows two young girls and what appears to be the bear. On the back is a handwritten note to “our darling Daddie” from “your loving little daughter and Sonia.”

The note is signed Dora – possibly one of the girls – and Glyn, who staff believe is the name of the bear.

The teddy, which has lost one eye, is currently being kept on the desk of the airport’s spokeswoman, Jacqui Mills.

Some experts believe the teddy may be a British-made Farnell bear from the early 1900s, while others say it might be either French or German.

After 14 months of inquiries yielded no clues as to the bear’s owner, the airport is now appealing for help from the public.

“We have tried unsuccessfully to locate his family, but drawn a blank. We would love to reunite him with his family, can you help?” the airport said in a statement.

Anyone with information as to the bear’s rightful owners can contact Bristol Airport by emailing yourairport@bristolairport.com.

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