A St Day woman is furious that burglars broke into her house and stole a brass plaque marking the sacrifice of a relative in the Great War.

The burglars struck at the home of Sharon Penhaligon, 45, between 8am and 6pm on Thursday, January 22 and made off with items she said had “real sentimental value”.

One of the items taken was a five-inch diameter memorial plaque from the World War One given to her great great grandparents by King George V.

During World War One all next of kin of service personnel who lost their lives in the war were presented with a memorial plaque and commemorative scroll from the King.

The plaques were cast in bronze and are approximately five inches in diameter.

Troops referred to them as a “Dead Man's Penny".

Mrs Penhaligon has three of the scrolls, for three different family members and had just one of the brass plaques, which she had hoped to pass onto her daughter.

Mrs Penhaligon is unsure which of the scrolls the name relates to and said it could be Stanley Grigg, Richard Solomon or Tom Solomon.

Also taken during the burglary were keepsakes and gifts she had received to mark major landmarks in her life.

These included pearl earrings given to her on her 21st birthday, items given to her as gifts on her 18th and 40th birthdays, alongside rings and jewellery she hoped to pass onto her daughter.

Mrs Penhaligon said more than anything she was upset by the fact someone had been in her house.

She said: “It is the thought of someone going through my drawers and touching my clothes. I have had to throw them away as I could not bear keeping them.”

Electrical items including a Nintendo Wii bought as a Christmas present were also taken.

Police are asking anyone with information to call DC Jordan on 08452 777 444 or email him at allen.jordan@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk quoting reference GP/09/135.