YORK war veteran Joe Munday today spoke of his anger towards thieves who ransacked his house and stole his prized medals.

Widower Mr Munday, 73, who is partially sighted and suffers from diabetes, discovered the burglary at his Brailsford Crescent home when he returned from a relative's funeral.

Among the items taken were his 1939-45 War Medal, a Defence Medal, a 1945-48 Palestine Medal, and three watches including a solid gold timepiece that belonged to his father.

Also stolen from keen photographer Mr Munday, who is a member of the Yorkshire Air Museum, secretary of the Parachute Regimental Association and organiser of York's Poppy Appeal, were a number of cameras, lenses and other accessories, bottles of insulin and a number of hypodermic needles.

The scene that greeted him on his return to the house was one of devastation.

Clothes and tools were strewn across the floor, furniture had been tipped over and the carpet was covered in broken glass.

"They made a right old mess of the place," he said.

"I don't quite know what they expected to find."

Former paratrooper Mr Munday saw action with the 6th Airborne Division on the Rhine and at Normandy, and served in Palestine after the war.

He said that of the thousands of pounds worth of goods stolen, the most valuable item was his father's solid gold watch.

"I'm very, very angry and annoyed by this," he said.

A pocket watch that was an engraved retirement present from his former colleagues at York Waterworks was also taken.

But strangely, war medals belonging to Mr Munday's late father were left on the floor by the burglars.

Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York police, said: "Officers working in the northern area of the city were appalled by this callous act. "This man, who served his country in its time of need, deserves better than to have been made a victim of a despicable crime like this."

If you have any information about the burglary, which happened sometime between Thursday of last week and this Monday, contact York police on 01904 631321.