A BAND has had more than £6,000 worth of instruments and equipment stolen from its lock-up premises in Kingsteignton.

Still Life, who play classic rock covers, are now without 15 guitars, a mixing desk, and numerous amplifiers, leads and microphones and have about a dozen regional gigs to fulfil before the year ends.

The group – Mike Tozer, Paul Madge, Matt Kneil and Mark Watson – are calling on residents for help.

'If anyone tries to sell you these goods or if you have bought any please contact the police immediately and hopefully we will recover some of our gear,' said bass player Mike.

'We also hope seeing this in the paper might spark a few guilty consciences.'

The items were taken between August 1 and 6. The fire escape door had been broken open and internal locked doors smashed in.

The band, which was formed about six years ago, first became aware of the theft when guitar player Mark noticed a familiar looking object in the shop window of a Plymouth music shop.

On closer inspection, he realised that the guitar for sale was his. A shop worker said that the seller had sold the items with the story that they belonged to an uncle who had died.

An amplifier belonging to the band was also for sale.

Mark, who was given back the items, told the rest of the band and they rushed to their premises in Kingsteignton to discover more than 30 pieces of equipment had been taken.

'We reported the theft to the police straight away and they are currently investigating. So we're hoping to hear some good news as soon as possible,' said Mike.

'At the moment we can't play. A guitar and a couple of amps would get us back on the road but not as we were before.

'We're just disappointed more than anything. Over the years you build up a collection of different equipment for different types of sound and most of it's gone. Some of the stuff was also sentimental.'

Mike said the equipment was uninsured and that they had all learnt an 'expensive lesson'.

The band will now hold a meeting as to where they go from here.

'We have a dozen or so gigs until the end of the year and we don't want to let anyone down,' added Mike.