A MUSICIAN had priceless song lyrics, some written in memory of a friend who died suddenly last year, and her guitar stolen on Saturday night. Ellie Ryner, the lead singer of The Funky Monks, had been playing a tribute gig at the Red Lion in Stevenage O

A MUSICIAN had "priceless" song lyrics, some written in memory of a friend who died suddenly last year, and her guitar stolen on Saturday night.

Ellie Ryner, the lead singer of The Funky Monks, had been playing a tribute gig at the Red Lion in Stevenage Old Town on the first anniversary of the death of popular barmaid Maggie Ritchie.

Maggie, of Hadrians Walk in Stevenage, died a week before her 50th birthday after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Lyrics and poetry written by Ellie over a 20-year period, as well as a guitar worth �250, were stolen from a van parked at the rear of the pub.

"I left the gear in the van overnight and was stunned when I was told it had been broken into and everything stolen," said Ellie, who lives in Pin Green.

"I have been writing lyrics and poetry since I was 15 and I am now 35 so it is almost my whole life's work. I would dearly love to get all that work back, along with my guitar.

"If anyone knows who has my property, please phone the police. The lyrics and poems are worthless but priceless to me."

Ellie is offering a reward for the return of her guitar and other property.

The pub's CCTV cameras captured pictures of a man breaking into the van. The footage has been handed to police and is being analysed.

Anyone with information, or anyone who saw anything suspicious, can call Herts Police on the non-emergency number: 0845 3300 222.