An elderly widow from Bushey has been reunited with her dead husband’s war medals, watches and OBE after they were stolen last month.

Peggy Henry said she thought she would never see the cherished items again after home in Chiltern Avenue was burgled on last month.

The medals were awarded to her husband of 70 years, John, for his distinguished service in the RAF during the Second World War.

The OBE was awarded after he set up and ran the Air Training Corps in Hertfordshire.

Following a police appeal for information, a woman handed the items in at Harrow police station after finding the items abandoned near Mrs Henry's home on Tuesday December 10.

Mrs Henry said: "I never thought I’d see the medals again. I thought they’d be melted down or sold on.

"My husband passed away earlier in the year after 70 years of marriage, so the items were of huge sentimental value.

"I’m so happy I have them back - it’s made my Christmas. My children and grandchildren were aware of what happened and are as delighted as me."

Mrs Henry’s daughter added: "The police have done a wonderful job, particularly DC Paul Spencer. They have been so nice and kept us up to date throughout the investigation.

"They’ve offered us great advice on how to keep the property secure and the use of the press was absolutely fantastic. The police worked very hard with their colleagues in the Metropolitan Police as well as the community."

Police Sergeant Noel Buckley, who reunited the victim with the medals, said: "This has made my Christmas too: it’s quite rare that we get to reunite property with its owner.

"Burglaries are heartless crimes and often the victims are left feeling devastated, particularly in a case like this where such sentimental items were stolen. We are continuing with the investigation to identify those responsible."

Anyone with information relating to the burglary is asked to contact DC Spencer via Herts Police non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference number J2/13/1225. Alternatively call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.