Former West Ham United footballer and ex-Norwich City manager Ken Brown has revealed that his winners' medals have been stolen.

The 81-year-old won the FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup with the Hammers, and also sealed promotion to the old Division One as Norwich manager, as well as victory in the 1985 Milk Cup.

Today, Brown revealed that he called police when he discovered that his medals had been swiped, believed to be at some point between 6.15am on Wednesday and 12.30am on Thursday, from his home in Norfolk.

"I had such a great time with both Norwich City and West Ham United and feel a huge amount of pride when I look back at my medals, and to think that someone has entered my home and taken them hurts me a lot," ITV News quotes Brown as saying.

"To me it's the sentimental value of what's been taken that matters more. I have grandchildren who play football and I love being able to show them the medals when they come and visit. They won't like to see their granddad upset but unfortunately that's how I feel at the moment.

"My wife and I feel violated that someone could take items of such personal significance and I can only hope those responsible for doing this can see how pointless it is to take something that has no value to them and such great value to us."

A set of Winston Churchill gold medals and a Modavo ladies' watch are believed to be among the items that were stolen.