Kennedy has Villa violins stolen

Nigel Kennedy said the violins will be difficult to replace

Nigel Kennedy has had three of his treasured Aston Villa violins stolen from his tour bus.

The custom-made electric violins were taken after a concert in Liverpool on Sunday night.

Kennedy, from Worcestershire, is currently in the middle of a UK jazz tour and said he was "devastated" by the loss.

He has been forced to find replacements and will play his next concert without the trademark violins.

Kennedy, who lives in Malvern, said: "I am extremely upset. These violins were custom made and will be very difficult to replace.

"I also fear for their safety if a Birmingham City fan ever got their hands on them."

He is due to play three dates at London's Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club this week.