Mother's gold medal film stolen

Ms Hoyler filmed her family's reaction to the gold medal win

The mother of an Olympic gold medallist has appealed to thieves to return a video camera containing footage of her son's winning race.

Sara Holyer filmed rower Zac Purchase winning gold in the men's doubles sculls, but the camera was stolen within days of her return home.

Ms Holyer's new house in Plymouth was broken into while she and her partner slept inside.

She said the footage could not be replaced and was "very precious".

Ms Holyer travelled to Beijing with other members of her family to watch her 22-year-old son, who is from Tewkesbury.

Zac has not yet seen his mother's footage of his winning moment

She said: "It was a very special time for us all... he won gold, which was incredible.

"I videoed, not only the races, but the family in the stand and their reactions.

"We can get the coverage from the BBC but we can't get that special coverage that you get using your own camcorder."

Ms Holyer and her partner Richard had been back from China for a few days when their house was broken into.

A number of items were stolen along with the video camera.

She said her son has not yet had a chance to see his family's on-screen reaction to his win.

"We would be so grateful to have it [the camera] back. We can't replace it and it's very precious."