A COUPLE have appealed for help in tracing a rare First World War bravery medal stolen from their house after it was burgled and then set on fire by thieves.

The Croix de Guerre honour was bestowed on the great-uncle of Heather Burgum after he rescued an injured soldier from No-Man's Land during a raid on enemy trenches, in 1917.

The family heirloom was stolen along with about £2,000 worth of belongings, including other medals, from Ms Burgum's home in Stockon, Teesside.

Thieves ransacked the property in Swainby Road, destroying furniture and household goods before setting fire to the house.

Ms Burgum and her partner, Andy Rutherford, who were on holiday at the time of the incident in March, returned home to find the property gutted by flames and the medals gone.

Ms Burgum said: "I never met my great-uncle, but this medal was passed on to me by my mother when she died, so it has a great deal of sentimental value. I don't know too much about it, but apparently it's very rare and we'd really like to get it back."

The French military honour was won by Sergeant Connon after his troops were trapped in enemy wire during a raid on the German lines in April 1917. The 20-year-old war hero, from West Hartlepool, was injured in the raid but despite this managed to rescue another soldier and return him to safety.

A newspaper report from the time referred to Sergeant Connon's "conspicuous bravery".

The medal was stolen from a chest of drawers in the house along with DVDs and electrical goods.

Detective Constable Kenny Clark, of Stockton CID, said the item may have been sold on to an unsuspecting collector.

He said: "I would venture to say that there would not have been many of these medals awarded, particularly to British soldiers. I think it's fair to say this item is a real rarity."

Det Con Clark appealed for anyone who had come into contact with the medal to contact Cleveland Police on (01642) 302238.