The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said the war medals were stolen while her parents were on holiday in the Lake District.

"My father is desperately upset that his medals have been taken," she said.

"Yet they are only worth a few pounds to most people."

The couple, who are both in their 80s, had returned from their annual week's holiday to find their home had been ransacked.

"The house was a mess with the contents of every drawer, cupboard and shelf scattered over the floor," said their daughter.

"Even the mattresses had been removed from the beds."

It took six hours to clear up after the burglars.

The woman's father, a former policeman, earned his medals partly for reconnaissance patrols in France and Germany during the Second World War.

While he was away he also missed the birth of his first daughter.

Today, he suffers from severe dementia and his wife is in a wheelchair.

"My parents are terribly upset about the fact that no one is safe in their own home any more," she said.

She added: "My father gave up several years of his family life to defend his country, but this act has affected his will to live."

If you can help find his war medals please call the Knutsford Guardian on 01565 751114.

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