Three pieces of sentimental value to the Sefton family were stolen from a display during the Rangiora A&P Show last Saturday.
Among them was a tea and sugar canister from World War 1 gifted to Pete and Joe Dixon for their collection that they have been taking around shows in the lower South Island for five years.
''The people who gifted it were fascinated with what my parents had done and gave the canister to them to add to the display,'' their daughter, Alex, says.
''Cars, motorbikes and stuff like that are stolen. But they can be replaced,'' she says.
Another piece belonged to Alex's great great grandfather and is irreplaceable. ''It's unbelievably heartbreaking for mum and dad, especially after such a fantastic show day.''
The display was in a shed with the farmyard animals.
Police are investigating.
