An athlete is heart-broken after the gold medal which represents the pinnacle of her sporting achievements was stolen when intruders broke into her home.

Discus-thrower Eden Francis, 30, had left the winner's medal from the under-23s European Championships in her car on Monday night.

Eden, who also competes as a shot putter, was due to visit a school the following morning as part of her ongoing work to inspire children to take part in sport and to live healthier lifestyles.

However, while she was asleep in the early hours, an intruder forced open the front door of her home in Knighton, Leicester and took her wallet and car keys.

They then went outside, let themselves into the car and drove away.

Eden told LeicestershireLive her victory in the July 2009 championships in Kaunas, Lithuania was the highlight of her career, adding the medal was priceless to her but of little or no value to the thief.

She said: "I don't think it's even made of real gold, so it's only of value to me and I really want it back.

Eden Francis with the gold medal for the discus and in action at the Saffron Lane sports centre
Eden with the gold medal and in action at the Saffron Lane sports centre

"I was getting ready to visit a school in the morning, so I packed everything into my car so I'd be ready to go nice and early.

"My training kit was in there but my medals were in there too because I like to do a bit of a 'show and tell' with the children in the schools I visit.

"I came down this morning and realised my car keys and wallet were missing from the table and then that my car was gone.

"I really don't care about the car, the training kit or the other medals.

"They're from Midlands and British championships. They do hold lovely memories for me, but I will win others.

"The one I'm really upset about is the gold from the European Championships in 2009. I will never win another one of those.

"It's of no value to the thief or thieves and they didn't know it was in there when they took the car.

"I guess it was all about the car to them, it's a black BMW 4-series.

"I'm just hoping that they realise they don't need it and find some way of getting it back to me.

"Maybe they could find some way of leaving it in a public place so someone else will find it and hand it in."

The break-in has been reported to Leicestershire Police and an investigation is underway.

Eden took up sport in earnest at the age of 10 and was first called up to represent her country at the age of 15.