THE grandson of a Second World War hero has appealed to thieves to return his grandfather's precious medals.

Alastair Smith was devastated when he found that medals won by his grandfather, Sergeant Bert Smith, had been taken in a burglary.

Sgt Smith died in 1975 when his grandson was just six months old.

The medals were presented to Mr Smith on his 18th birthday by his grandmother, Mira.

Sgt Smith was a tank commander with the Warwickshire Yeomanry.

He served in France and Italy between 1939 and 1945, as well as in North Africa at the Battle of El Alamein, and later fought against the Japanese.

Mr Smith, 30, of Filey Close, Catterick Garrison, said his grandfather, who was also a musician, had inspired him to join the Army and take up music.

He is now a lance corporal with the Normandy Band of the Queen's Division, based at Catterick.

He said: "I was very emotional when I realised the medals had gone.

"They were just about the only thing I had left from my grandfather.

"It is because of him that I was always interested in the Army and why I joined the band."

The medals were taken by thieves who broke into Mr Smith's old house at Aisne Road, Catterick Garrison, as he was moving out last week.

The medals were mounted and were in a box waiting to be collected.

Also taken was his grandfather's regimental button and a shoulder title, plus a limited edition print of a Lancaster bomber and a mobile phone.

The thieves left a regimental tie.

Mr Smith has notified medal traders of the theft. He also plans to search on eBay to make sure they are not being auctioned off.

"I just want them back," he said.

The theft took place between noon on Friday and Saturday evening.

The medals taken were a 39/45 Star, an Italian Star, a Desert star with an 8th Army clasp, a Defence Medal, a War Medal and a Service Medal.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call police on 0845 60 60 247.