POLICE are appealing for help in finding a thief who stole war medals from a 91-year-old widow in a Plymouth care home.

The four medals, believed to be from the First World War, had belonged to the woman's husband, who had been in the Navy.

DC Louise Steele, investigating the incident, said the medals were stolen while the woman was in hospital.

She said: "This elderly, vulnerable woman went into hospital between December 12 and December 16. Staff at the care home last saw the medals, which she had displayed in her room, on Friday, December 11, and noticed they had gone on December 14. They are of great sentimental value, as they belonged to her husband."

Four medals were taken from the woman's room, in a care home in Plympton that police have not identified. The medals were complete with their bars, and one had a red and gold ribbon, while another had a blue and gold ribbon. DC Steele said the loss of the medals would cause great distress, and appealed for anyone with information to contact her on 08452 777444, or to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting police reference EP/09/1522.