by Graham Tutthill

What's the traditional way for musicians who are short of funds to raise a little money? Busking, of course.

That’s fine if you usually play a violin, flute, trumpet or other instrument of a manageable size. But that may not be quite so easy if you play the piano.

That didn’t stop a Frenchman who needed money to buy a cross-Channel ferry ticket for himself, his camper van and his piano to return to France.

He wheeled a full-size piano into the Travel Centre at Dover’s Eastern Docks and started to play, in the hope of raising the £109 he needed.

“Whilst a little ambient background music may have been a pleasurable experience for staff and customers, his piano was badly tuned and he was no Elton John,” said Port of Dover police chief officer Steve Masters.

“For the benefit of all he was persuaded to end his routine and make alternative arrangements to raise the necessary money.”