THIEVES have dealt a bitter blow to trombonist Nick Walker.

The accomplished musician has had his valuable instrument stolen just days before Hudderfield's most prestigious music contest.

Nineteen-year-old Nick, of Dalton, was to compete in the Kirklees Young Musician of the Year competition on Friday, February 25.

The contest is part of the Mrs Sunderland Music Competition in which Nick has won the open age brass class for the past three years.

"I've worked very hard and am gutted by the theft," said Nick, a first-year music student at Huddersfield University.

"The trombone was hand-made by Michael Rath, of Newsome, and at £2,500 was my entire first- year student loan."

Nick, who has been playing the trombone for 11 years, is a former pupil of King James School, Almondbury,

He plays with Old Silkstone Brass Band and has previously played with Lindley and Linthwaite Band.

He also plays with Huddersfield ska punk band Mr Shiraz.

He locked the trombone in the boot of his Fiat Punto car overnight at a house in Lowerhouses and awoke to find the boot had been forced and the instrument stolen.

Police ask anyone who is offered the trombone for sale to phone Det Con Stewart Green on 01484 436761.