South Wales Police have reunited an 83-year-old Penarth war veteran with his service medals after they were stolen in a burglary last year.

An eagle-eyed officer spotted the General Service Medals (with clasp Malaya) while on an off-duty visit to an antiques market.

They belonged to a former 2nd Lieutenant, who served with the Welsh Borderers. Until receiving the call from South Wales Police saying they had retrieved the medals, he had not realised they had been taken.

The burglary took place in May 2020, and the man mistakenly believed only a laptop and some money had been stolen.

He was unable to attend 2020's invite-only Remembrance Sunday in Penarth due to COVID-19 restrictions, and therefore had no occasion to check whether the medals were safely stashed away in his bedroom drawer.

In a Facebook post, South Wales Police said:

"We were delighted to return the stolen medals back to their owner at the weekend."

The officer responsible, who has not yet been named, is being highly praised by Facebook users.

A 50-year-old man from Butetown, Cardiff is serving a three-year prison sentence for the burglary.

Nub News has contacted South Wales Police for further information and hope to speak with the veteran about his experience and service.