Burglars stole an Hungarian pensioner's jewellery as he slept in his Bradford home.

Peter Szucs, who is blind in one eye and suffers from heart problems, has been devastated by the burglary and he has appealed for anyone with information to get in touch with the police.

The 66-year-old, who fled Budapest to escape the Communist uprising in the 1956, also had a video recorder stolen.

Father-of-three Mr Szucs, who also has 12 grandchildren and a great grandchild, said: "I woke up during the night after hearing voices outside.

"Then I noticed things were missing. This has left me very, very upset. I have been shaking like a leaf.

"It scares me to think what could have happened. If I had woken up and gone into the room, the burglars could have stabbed me."

The burglars took a bracelet engraved with his name, three sovereign rings and a gold watch from his home in West Bowling. They had forced open a window to get into the flat.

Mr Szucs' ex-wife Joyce said: "Peter is really upset and very shaken.

"I think what has really worried him is that someone was in his house while he was in bed.

"He was really proud of his jewellery and had bought it to pass down to his children. It's heartbreaking."

Inspector Jayne Slade, of Odsal police, said: "It's very sad when vulnerable people are picked on and it is especially upsetting if they are in the house at the time.

"We are appealing for information and if anyone has come across the jewellery please get in touch."

Anyone with information about the burglary, which took place between 9pm on Monday and 1.30am on Tuesday, is asked to contact Odsal police on Bradford 376659 or Crimestop-pers on 0800 555 111.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.