A classical musician is "devastated" after leaving his 300-year-old violin worth £250,000 on a train in Bromley.

Stephen Morris left the antique instrument, made by master craftsman David Tecchler in 1709, on the London Victoria to Orpington service at Penge East on the evening of Tuesday October 22, only realising the morning after.

He had been due to play at two concerts with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra alongside Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli that weekend and had to borrow an instrument of his professional musician wife so he could perform.

Mr Morris, who lives in Sydenham, said: “As soon as I realised I had that sinking feeling. I’m not normally one to panic, but it felt just dreadful.

“It began to dawn on me how serious it was.

“I’m more of a custodian than an owner of the instrument. They’re extremely sought after and this one has a particularly wonderful range of sounds.

“I was luckily able to find a short-term replacement, but that violin is ultimately irreplaceable.”

Mr Morris bought the violin in 2004, performing with it around the world.

David Tecchler was part of the renowned Roman School of Violin Making in the 18th Century, considered to be the institution's leading craftsman.

The instrument is marked with its maker’s name and is inside a white case.

Mr Morris was travelling back from a recording session at Abbey Road studios on the 10.58pm service at the time.

The musician, who has recorded with David Bowie and Stevie Wonder, said: “I’m extremely hopeful that it’ll be found.

“There are some amazing people on this hunt. I’ve already had some incredible help and advice.

“It’s gone way beyond just me looking at the moment. The search will almost certainly be focusing on the CCTV footage.

“It may be someone has picked it up and doesn’t know what to do with it.”

British Transport Police (BTP) said the incident is currently being "treated as lost property".

A spokeswoman for BTP said: "We are currently making inquiries and would ask anyone with information to contact us."