A CULTURAL arts centre in America is appealing for help from two counties residents to help solve a mystery dating back to the Holocaust.

An album of emotive illustrations that belonged to a man who survived life in the Dachau concentration camp during the Second World War, recently came to light in America.

The leather-bound album is full of historically significant artefacts, including hundreds of photos, a swatch of a prisoner's uniform, several Nazi uniform patches and 30 pictures drawn by an artist called Michael Porulski.

It is believed that Mr Porulski, who may have been a prisoner at the camp, lived in Germany, Australia, Poland, possibly France and Italy, before moving to the Hereford area.

Those heading the so-called Dachau Album Project are now hoping people living in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire area will be able to help - particularly if they knew of Mr Porulski, or if he created any works of art whilst living in Hereford.

Avi Hoffman, executive director at the National Center for Jewish Cultural Arts in Florida, America, said: "We have no idea under what circumstances he died or for that matter, where and with whom he lived.

"It is unimaginable to us that in the time that he lived in the Hereford area that he did not create some artistic works that may be in the possession of someone that he befriended or lived with."

Mr Hoffman added that it's believed Mr Porulski's occupation whilst in this region was "painting bridges".

It was in Hereford that he passed away unknown and penniless in 1989.

Anyone with information is urged to write to Lauren Rogers, Worcester News Editorial, Berrows House, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX, or you can e-mail lr@worcesternews.co.uk.