Son's renewed burglary plea

Raiders smashed their way into the home of 78-year-old Glen Yates within hours of ambulance crews and undertakers departing, snatching war medals and his wedding ring as well as hundreds of pounds in cash.

His son, also named Glen Yates, was left heartbroken by the burglary at the house, in Hudson Road, South Shore, which happened in January.

And he is frustrated that in spite of a high profile appeal none of his dad’s belongings have so far been recovered.

He said: “We have heard nothing, but that is pretty much what we expected.

“We will have to keep waiting.”

Retired Glen, 57, did manage to keep hold of one heirloom, having taken his dad’s watch from the house before the raiders struck.

Among the items that were taken were two medals, awarded to Mr Yates for his service in Malaysia.

The pensioner, who was deployed in Singapore during the 1960s conflict, was given the medals by the Malaysian government and received them at Fulwood Barracks just a few years ago, after a wait of five decades.

Along with his wedding ring they are among the sentimental items his son might have been able to remember him by.

Police were called to Mr Yates’ house on Tuesday January 24 following concerns over his safety. He was found dead inside.

Officers were then called back the next morning to reports of a burglary - and found the home ransacked.

PC Daniel Swarbrick, of Blackpool Police, said: “Several items of great sentimental value to the family have gone missing and they are desperate to get them back.”

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log number 383 of January 25.