BEAUTIFUL silk cards sent from soldiers on the front line to sweethearts back home throughout the First World War have gone on display at a York museum.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, a selection of ‘Sweetheart Cards’ will be displayed in the entrance of the Castle Museum until the end of February.

Each card is decorated with a sentimental message of love and absence, such as: “Forget Me Not” and “Longing to see You” and, on the rare occasion, include a short message. One card, for example, simply reads: “Best love from somewhere in France xxxxx George”.

Helen Thornton, documentation assistant (history) at York Museums Trust, said: “The cards are far more intricate and delicate than anything we find in the shops today.

"Sometimes the cards would have a special envelope opening on the front, decorated with coloured silks, which would contain a further small greetings card or gift; it is a very poignant moment when we find a greetings card that has been signed off with a hand-written signature or message.”

The cards were made using coloured silks which were embroidered on to strips of organza and mounted on paper postcards, and the design would usually incorporate Allied flags.