FALKLANDS war veteran Thomas McDermott has appealed for the return of priceless war medals stolen in a burglary at his Edgworth home.

The former submariner, who was also decorated for service in the Gulf, said the medals represent a substantial part of his life and are absolutely irreplaceable.

" I don't give a monkey's for anything else that was stolen, that can all be replaced," said Mr McDermott, 44, of Blackburn Road, Edgworth. "Those medals are special to me and to nobody else. I joined the navy when I was 16 and left when I was 30 and the medals represent everything that happened to me in those 15 years, they are my history."

Mr McDermott's home was burgled between 4pm and midnight on Thursday and as well as the medals the thieves escaped with a video recorder, £100 cash and a digital phone.

The medals are a Falklands Island Medal which is silver on a multi-coloured ribbon and bears the inscription T.P.McDermott and the service number C024845E. It was awarded for service on board HMS Courageous.

A hexagonal medal cut out of solid silver and bearing cross swords on the front and a gold service medal on a red, yellow and blue striped ribbon were both awarded for service in the Gulf.

A silver commendation medal was awarded to Mr McDermott by the Sultan of Oman for his part in putting out a fire on board a tanker during the Iran- Iraq conflict in 1986.

Mr McDermott's name is inscribed on the rim.

Sergeant Neil Hunter, of Darwen Police, said anyone who is approached with a view to buying the medals should contact them immediately.

He said there had been a number of thefts and burglaries in the rural areas between Darwen and Bolton since Christmas and urged residents to be on their guard.

"Because of the good community spirit in these rural villages there is not usually a problem, but I would urge anyone who sees anything suspicious to contact either the rural beat officer or ourselves immediately," added Sergeant Hunter.