Richard Meade’s widow was left heartbroken after thieves broke into her home and stole her husband’s two Olympic gold medals.

The legendary rider’s medals won at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich were taken after the house near Marshfield in South Gloucestershire was broken into.

A large number of jewellery, antiques and trophies were also seized by thieves between Tuesday, October 29 and Friday, November 1.

Meade was Britain’s most successful Olympic rider, the winner of three Olympic gold medals and the first British rider to win an individual Olympic title.

In addition to the two Olympic gold medals he won in Munich, he also won an Olympic gold medal in Mexico in 1968 and five World Championship medals.

His wife Angela said the medals ‘hold a special place in our whole family’s hearts’ after the cyclist’s death in 2015 and pleaded for them to be returned to him.

Richard Meade’s widow Angela (pictured next to her husband in 2001) was heartbroken after thieves broke into her home and stole the Olympian’s two gold medals.

The legendary rider’s medals won at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games were taken after a home near Marshfield in South Gloucestershire was broken into.

Ms Meade said: ‘Richard died in 2015 and these medals hold a special place in all our family’s hearts.

‘As an event rider we are all extremely proud of his achievements and although the medals have little monetary value they are invaluable to us.

‘I would appeal to anyone who knows the whereabouts of the medals to hand them over to the police or another safe location as soon as possible, or for anyone who sees them to contact the police.’

This isn’t the first time the family has stolen Meade’s medals.

In the 1980s, the gold coins were stolen from a car, but upon media call, the gold coins were hidden in a public place and found by the authorities.

Ms Meade added: ‘The fact that a medal was partially scratched meant that it was not solid gold and therefore had negligible monetary value.’

Police investigating the theft are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Inspector Danielle Underwood said: ‘These items are understandably of great sentimental significance to the victims and they are extremely anxious for them to be returned.

Meade was Britain’s most successful Olympic rider, the winner of three Olympic gold medals and the first British rider to win an individual Olympic title.

‘Officers carried out forensic and CCTV investigations and spoke to people living in the area. Efforts are continuing to find these items and identify those responsible for the theft.

‘Any theft can have a devastating impact on victims; Not only can it have a financial or emotional impact, but it can also make people feel unsafe in their own homes.

‘I would encourage anyone who has seen any of these items, seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area or has any information that could assist our investigation further.’