A SOLDIER who has recently returned from Afghanistan is appealing for the return of a treasured picture of his daughter and £600, which he fears has been stolen.

Sean Walsh, 29, who works as a steward at the Southend branch of the Naval and Military Club, went to pay for some clothes in Primark when he discovered his wallet had gone.

The distinctive black, yellow and white Brawn GP wallet contained the first picture of his 14-month-old daughter Lily, who was born while he was on a tour of duty in the war-torn country last year.

It also contained his driving licence and railcard, as well as £600 in cash which was a one-off payment from the Army to help cover the cost of a deposit for his flat.

Sean, who lives above the club, said: “I am not too concerned about the cash, but the picture of my daughter was the first time I saw her because I was in Afghanistan at the time.

“I am struggling at the moment because the money from the Army was to help pay for half of the deposit for the flat.

“I can’t be 100 per cent sure it was stolen, but when I discovered my wallet was missing I retraced my steps for an hour.

“I didn’t feel it fall out of my trouser pocket, which is quite deep and I have heard about people having their wallets stolen on the High Street.”

After retiring from the Army as a lance corporal, Sean moved to Southend from Colchester with his wife Tara and their daughter at the beginning of this month to start work at the club.

He added: “I love my job, I worked at bars and pubs before I joined the Army, so it is the ideal job. It has been difficult adjusting to life outside of the Army because the atmosphere is so different and there are times when I do miss the morale.”

Police are not currently investigating and anyone who knows where the wallet is should call Jasmin McDermott at the Echo’s newsdesk on 01702 321152.