A man has been charged with the theft of a valuable 100-year-old violin.

Sam John McCarthy, 33, of Commonwealth Way, Greenwich, is accused of taking the rare instrument from the overhead rack on a train service between Barnehurst and Dartford at about 6pm on Bank Holiday Monday, May 1.

The violin, which was made in about 1920, has since been reunited with its owner.

Following an appeal by British Transport Police, McCarthy was charged with theft by finding.

He will appear at Highbury Magistrates Court on Monday, June 26.