A MUSIC enthusiast cheered himself up after being made redundant by spending £10,000 on antique guitars.

But Michael Stirzaker almost lost his purchases when they were stolen almost straight away.

Thankfully, the 58-year-old's agony was short-lived after police recovered the instruments within hours.

The former fork-lift truck driver is an amateur blues musician and had some success in the 1960s, touring with the blues band Cyclones.

He took voluntary redundancy from his job at local firm Express Gifts earlier this month and spent a large chunk of his £25,000 payment on increasing his guitar collection.

All the guitars, worth about £15,000, were taken in a raid at his home in St James Road, Church, on Thursday morning.

Among the items stolen were the two newly-bought instruments, including a valuable limited edition 1937 Emile Grimshaw banjo.

Mr Stirzaker said: "When I realised what had happened I was so upset and shocked. I just kept bursting into tears.

"The guitars are my pride and joy. All I do is play music. I don't know what I would have done without them.

"I had been out at my girlfriend's and when I returned at about 7.30am on Thursday I could see there were CDs littered across the road.

"Then I realised that they were my CDs. I panicked.

"My front door had been kicked in and as well as the seven guitars my £1,000 stereo and CD collection were taken."

The thieves dropped the stereo and many of the discs as they completed the raid, destroying them.

After reporting the theft to the police, officers spoke to witnesses and within four hours executed two warrants at nearby premises where the stolen items were discovered.

Mr Stirzaker added: "I'm delighted that the guitars are back. I never thought I would see them again.

"There is a small amount of damage that will need to be repaired and the stereo is ruined but I can't thank the police enough for their quick work."

Sgt Allen Davies of Accrington Police said: "We are absolutely thrilled that we have recovered the property for this man."

l A local 25-year-old man has been arrested by officers in connection with the incident.