A PROFESSIONAL musician from Bradford on Avon was devastated to discover his valuable guitar had been stolen from his van.

Paul O’Shea, 36, of Frome Road had parked his van in Pound Lane, just a couple of minutes from his home, after playing a gig but returned a few days later to find it had been broken into.

“The gig was on Sunday, February 12 so it must have been stolen between then and the following Tuesday," said Mr O’Shea, a former member of AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells.

"It was really cold after the gig so I left the guitar in the van. I didn’t notice until the following weekend. No one could have seen it from the outside.

“The thieves had tried to hotwire the van and they had obviously climbed over the back and taken the guitar from the case. I bought it for £1,000 but brand new they can go for £1,500-£1,800.”

The guitar, a Music Man StingRay, is a natural wood colour with a black scratch plate.

“I have had that guitar for a year and a half and it is so frustrating when someone steals something you worked so hard to get,” added Mr O’Shea.

A spokesman from Wiltshire Police said: “Anyone who has any information relating to the theft, or who witnessed the incident, should call police on 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”