For the past 85 years Hampshire pensioner Arthur Banks has enjoyed nothing more than strumming away on his banjo.

Now the 99-year-old has been left feeling flat after the instrument, which has been his pride and joy since he bought it in 1922, was stolen from his Netley retirement home.

For years Arthur and his banjo have been a regular fixture, entertaining fellow residents in the common room at the sheltered accommodation flats in Moore Crescent.

"I used to go down there and just play for an hour, mostly to keep myself amused," he told the Daily Echo.

Arthur had been playing the banjo as usual the night before it went missing.

He put it in its padlocked case and left it in the common room - as he has done for most of the 25 years he has lived in the security coded flats - before he went to bed.

When he returned the next morning he was horrified to discover the case and its contents were gone.

"I was playing it until nine in the evening and then put it away as normal," said Arthur.

"It was early the next morning when I came downstairs and noticed it was gone. I thought to myself Oh dear', and I've felt down about it ever since because I can't play it now so I'm stuck."

Arthur, who lost his wife Kitty ten years ago and has a son Ron who is married and lives in Shirley, Southampton, used to play with bands across London before moving to the south coast when he joined the Navy. He believes the person who stole his beloved Windsor five-string knew exactly what they were after.

"They must have done," he said.

"It's been purposely done I think, because everyone knows I play it down there. I've just bought myself a new amplifier and speaker for it, but they were left because they were covered up.

"I'm not going to replace it for a while because banjos like that are not easy to find and are quite expensive."

Police are asking for help from the public. PCSO Rhona Stevens said: "The banjo is of great sentimental value. We would appeal to anyone who has any information relating to its whereabouts to come forward."

Call PSCO Stevens at Hedge End police station on 0845 045 4545.