Rare football medals stolen from Venus' house

THIEVES have stolen two rare medals from the Edinburgh home of former Celtic and Hibs assistant manager Mark Venus.

Police said they were taken from Mr Venus' Morningside property between midnight and 6am last Wednesday.

One is from the English Championship League season 2007-08 for West Bromwich Albion while the other is from English Division 3 season 89-90 for Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.

Both medals are about 12mm in circumference and not in their presentation boxes.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesperson said: "These items are of tremendous sentimental value, so I would appeal to anyone with any information to get in touch so we can reunite them with their owner.

"They are very unusual, distinctive pieces so I would ask people to stay alert if they are offered for sale."

As a player, Venus spent the majority of his career with Wolves and Ipswich. He is now the assistant boss at Middlesbrough alongside Tony Mowbray.