TROMBONIST Nick Walker should have been taking part in his 10th Mrs Sunderland competition today.

But the 19-year-old will miss the contest because thieves stole his prize £2,500 instrument.

Nick, of Dalton, has won the open brass section in the contest for the last three years.

For the first time he was due to take part in the Kirklees Young Musician of the Year competition.

He said: "I have decided not to take part. I did borrow an instrument from the band I play with, but it would just not be the same."

Nick, a first-year music student at Huddersfield University, added: "I have taken part in the Mrs Sunderland contest since before I was 10. This will be the first year I have missed it for 10 years."

His hand-made Michael Rath trombone was stolen from the boot of his Fiat Punto car, which was parked overnight outside a house in Lowerhouses last week.

Despite extensive inquiries by police and Nick himself it has not turned up. And because of a mix-up he cannot claim on his car insurance.

He has already ordered a new £3,000 instrument. But there is an 11-week waiting list.

Nick has a part-time job at Halfords motor accessories shop in Huddersfield and says he will "just have to work hard" to pay for the new instrument.