A DAUGHTER is offering a cash reward for the return of her late father's Second World War medals which were stolen just days before VE Day.

Four medals belonging to Leslie Ernest Collin, who died four years ago aged 89, were taken during a break-in in Edgworth.

Mr Collin, who was living at the house before his death, served in the Royal Air Force and was awarded the medals for bravery in the armed forces and one for long service in the police force.

His son-in-law served in the armed forces, achieving the rank of colonel, and also had three medals stolen in the raid.

Just over three weeks on from the burglary, which took place while Mr Collin's daughter and son-in-law were visiting family in Australia, and the couple are becoming increasingly desperate for the medals to be found.

They say the medals would be worth hardly anything as scrap — and are not rare or collectable.

But their sentimental value has prompted the family to offer a £500 reward for their return.

His daughter, who asked not to be named, said: "They are irreplaceable. We could buy replicas but what would be the point?

"The medals have no value to anybody else.

"I used to wear them every year at the St Anne's remembrance parade in Chapeltown. It is devastating for us that they are missing."

Her husband said: "We are getting over it slowly. We're about 80 per cent towards restoring things to how they were but we are still finding things that are missing."

Mr Collin was an air gunner in the RAF, achieving the rank of sergeant, flying Catalina planes, operating in the Indian Ocean for much of his service.

The police medal, awarded to Mr Collin in 1974 when he retired, had PC LE Collin Surrey Constabulary etched round the edge. It accompanies a Burma Star and Atlantic Service medal.

Mr Collin's son-in-law's medals are engraved around the edges with Col. Davenport 516207 Staff.