Jazz player robbed in city attack

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A well-known Londonderry jazz musician has been struck on the head and robbed of instruments worth thousands of pounds.

The incident happened as Gay McIntyre walked in the Strand Road area of the city on Saturday at about 0200 GMT.

He was hit on the head and robbed of a saxophone, clarinet and flute he was carrying. Police said the instruments were worth several thousand pounds.

Mr McIntyre, who is in his 70s, said he was unconscious for several minutes.

He appealed for the return of the instruments and said he was "devastated" by the robbery.

"The point of it is they are no good to anyone at all unless there is a professional instrumentalist," he said.

Mr McIntyre has worked with a host of top musicians during his career including Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball.