A miniature FA Cup presented to a former England football ace has been stolen in a burglary at his granddaughter's home.

Jack Butler, a midfield star with Arsenal in the 1920s, was presented with the 6in silver-plated trophy by King George V.

The award followed his team's 1-0 FA Cup defeat by Cardiff City at Wembley in 1927.

The game was memorable because it was the first time the FA Cup had been won by a non-English side.

When Mr Butler died in 1968 of emphysema, he passed the trophy on to his wife, who in turn left it to granddaughter Mary Demetri.

Today Mrs Demetri, of West Hill Road, St Leonards, said she was devastated by the break-in, which happened as she and her teenage daughter slept in the early hours.

A 28-year-old student from Ecuador who was staying with the family raised the alarm after the intruder opened her bedroom door just before 5am on Saturday.

Mrs Demetri said: "She was completely unfazed by it. I shot up and then realised we had been burgled."

The thief, who was in his 40s, fled with the replica cup, cash, credit cards and other antiques including a German wooden clock. Another man is thought to have been keeping watch outside.

Mrs Demetri, 43, added: "It was extremely frightening. But I'm more concerned about the items that they stole. They are of extreme sentimental value to me."

Anyone with information should call Hastings police on 0845 6070999.