A callous thief has swiped a £200 speaker from a musician who was raising cash for a hospice that cared for his wife.

Leo Slayter, 65, had been performing in Canterbury Coach Park off Kingsmead Road and collecting donations in aid of Pilgrims Hospices.

But while he was packing away his gear, the black Ion Block Rocker Plus speaker was stolen, leaving him now unable to perform.

The theft, which happened at 3pm yesterday, has been reported to police.

Leo's wife Marousya Slayter, who he married in 1994, lost her battle with cancer in 2001 at the Pilgrims Hospices, Canterbury, aged 58.

"A lady provides teas and refreshments to everyone attending the car park and I entertain people as they’re coming across," the Hales Place resident said.

"I was putting my stuff away - my saxophone, clarinet and money collected - and I left the speaker by itself while I went to the car.

"But when I turned around it was gone.

"It was brand new and I’ve only had it a few weeks. It is a unique bluetooth speaker as they don't make them any more."

This is not the first time Mr Slayter has been targeted by thieves while raising cash for the hospice.

In July 2019, he left his unique blue-coloured saxophone unattended at the Pilgrim Hospices Vintage Tea and Fair at Westgate Gardens.

But when he returned to play, the music tutor discovered his instrument had been stolen.

Mr Slayter has now issued a plea for the speaker to be returned to him.

"You could say it's my fault, I should've expected it to be stolen, but I can’t carry everything in one go because I have back problems," he added.

"I haven't got another speaker so I can’t play now. I was playing a couple of times a week at the coach park and I only started over the past month.

"Someone might have seen me around or it could be an opportunist."

Police confirmed they were called shortly before 3.30pm yesterday following the theft of the speaker.

No suspect has been identified but anyone with information can call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/113303/22.