A proud veteran whose war medals were stolen by thieves was presented with replacements at a community church service.

Geoffrey Blain, 94, was staying in a care home over Christmas when his home in Regent Street in Rolvenden was broken into.

The thieves took items which included four of his own medals, and a cluster of his father Arthur Blain’s medals from the First World War.

They also took jewellery including an engagement ring for Mr Blain’s late wife Joan, who died in 2007, shortly before their 60th wedding anniversary.

It left him feeling vulnerable in his own home, and also greatly saddened, as his medals were a record of the time he was held as a prisoner of war at the hands of the Japanese.

He had served in the Royal Artillery and was captured during the surrender of Singapore.

As a prisoner he had to complete forced labour, including clearing dead bodies on the island.

Then he was shipped to the island of Formosa, now Taiwan, where he drained a swamp for an aerodrome and then later worked in a copper mine.

But this week Mr Blain was presented with replacement medals at a church service in Rolvenden led by the Rev Christopher Hodgkins.

There was a poem read by primary school pupils, neighbour John Walters read out Mr Blain’s service record, and medals were presented by Rolvenden British Legion branch president Barry Pain.

The event was organised by branch chairman Edward Barham, who said: “The medals were paid for by the branch and it was a pleasure to present them.

“Geoffrey had a tear in his eye, and the ceremony had a sense of gravitas. The replacement medals were donated by fellow members and were unnamed.

“The theft of his Second World War medals would have earned the thieves almost nothing, just pennies. Yet they meant so much to him, for what he had endured.

“If they had stopped to think what they were taking, all the personal medals and what they represent to Geoffrey.

“He spent three years in miserable, slave-like conditions, even the most hardened criminals would have to think twice if they had known that.”

Police say they are investigating a number of burglaries in Regent Street in Rolvenden over the past few months.

Previously Mr Blain and DC Jo Heard made a public appeal for the return of the items stolen during the break-in.

The thieves broke in between 4pm on Tuesday, December 27, and 8.30am on Wednesday, December 28.

“He spent three years in miserable, slave-like conditions, even the most hardened criminals would have to think twice if they had known that” - Barry Pain

The medals to Mr Blain’s father were inscribed with the regimental number 28455, while his own Veteran’s Star was inscribed with the number 893176 GA Blain.

DC Heard said: “The stolen items were important to Mr Blain, they are very unique and personal to him and will be worth more to him than anyone else.

“They have a history behind them and we are keen to reunite him with his medals.

"Some of the medals will have names or regiment numbers on the back.

"We would ask that if anyone has seen these items for sale, either in a shop, stall or online, to contact us urgently so they can be back with their rightful owner.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should call police on 01843 222289 and quote reference ZY/47165/16 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.