WAR medals and valuable pieces of jewellery were stolen when burglars plundered a property in Ashburton.

The raiders struck in Woodland Road, where they made an untidy search of the address.

Their booty included a number of miniature and full-sized war medals – among them a Bronze Star.

One distinctive piece stolen was a gold necklace featuring a gold pendant of a parachutist.

Police investigating the April 16 break-in are anxious a trace a group of door-to-door callers touting for home improvement business in the area.