A WAR hero is pleading with pensioners to be on their guard after he became the victim of opportunist thieves.

Pensioner Cyril Jones, from Middlesbrough, was asleep in his armchair when thieves crept into his home and stole £1,000 in life savings, a collection of gold coins and a Palestine medal he received for bravery in 1946.

Fighting back the tears, Mr Jones, a widower, who has been collecting coins for ten years, said he was heartbroken that someone could come into his home and take them.

The incident has left him so upset he has vowed not to collect any more coins and says he will put his savings into a bank account in future.

The 77-year-old said: "I wasn't able to sleep after it happened - it really upset me. They must have walked straight past me when I was asleep in the chair.

"If I had been awake I am not sure what I would have done to them."

The incident also comes after The Northern Echo reported last week how 104-year-old Fred Dickinson was the victim of a conman, who stole £90 from his wallet after calling at his Hartlepool home.

Mr Jones said: "I think the thieves walked past my living room window, saw I was asleep and so tried the door.

"Unfortunately, I had not locked it and they were able to get in. I was flat out and the first I knew about it was when I went to bed later that night.

"I will always lock my door from now on and I hope others do as well. I think these people prey on us elderly as they see us as an easy target."

Mr Jones' medal is silver and has Guardsman C Jones 2669404 Palestine 1946-7 inscribed on it. It was presented to those who served in Palestine during that time.

The coins which were taken include a 24-carat gold Queen Mother coin, four 1999 coins, two five guinea pieces and two Jersey and Guernsey sovereigns.

A book of first and second class stamps and some gold jewellery were also taken.

Mr Jones said: "I doubt if I am going to see the coins again as they have probably been sold on, but I would like my medal back."

Anyone with any information about the theft, which happened on April 23 but has only now been made public, is asked to contact Middlesbrough police on (01642) 326326.