A MUSIC shop which donated a uniquely decorated piano to a train station is calling for the stool which was stolen to be returned.

The Argus is also backing the call as the red and yellow piano has been locked since Tuesday, when the stool was pinched, and until the seat is recovered nobody will be able to tinkle its ivories.

Brighton Piano Warehouse donated the instrument in July after the idea was suggested by Labour parliamentary candidate for Hove Peter Kyle.

Manager Gemma Prior-Shooter said: “It’s so upsetting. We are looking into a replacement stool in the mean- time but we just want the stool back.

“I hope it’s someone playing a joke and it will turn up back in its place. “It’s a huge shame as it costs hun-dreds of pounds to install and someone took the time to design and decorate it. We wanted to give it to Brighton in the hope people would enjoy using it. “But it has suffered some minor damage in the past.

"This has now made us think we will need to think of ways of securing it in the station. The piano is routinely locked in the early-morning rush-hour, during Brighton and Hove Albion home matches and in the evenings, by Southern staff to protect it from damage.

A Southern Rail spokesman said the theft has been repoted to the British Transport Police.

Mr Kyle, who previously told The Argus he would cover any maintenance costs and the cost of having the piano removed should it be vandalised, said: “The piano has brought fun and laughter to thousands so it’s particularly mean-spirited to pinch it. If it’s you, please drop it back soon.”

Do you have any information about the missing stool?