A manhunt has been launched to track down the "thoughtless and selfish" thieves who stole First World War medals from an elderly couple.

More than £10,000, jewellery and other items were also pinched from the house in Cockridge Road, Lanark, at some point between 10am on Friday, April 19 and 10am on Saturday, April 20.

The break-in happened when the couple were away for the weekend celebrating a birthday.

Officers have been speaking to those who live nearby to try and establish a more exact time of the break-in.

Sergeant Brian Scanlan said: "The elderly couple were away for the weekend celebrating a birthday when this incident happened, and have had a number of expensive and sentimental items stolen.

"Those responsible for this break-in and theft are absolutely thoughtless and selfish. It is imperative that we trace them.

"We are appealing to the community to get in touch with us if they have any information, somebody must know something.

"Those responsible will possibly be trying to sell these items in the area, or are storing them somewhere.

"Anyone who lives nearby who may have seen any unusual activity, particularly overnight from Friday into Saturday, who have not already spoken to police, are urged to get in contact."