A ROCK band who had their instruments and equipment stolen spoke of their joy after seeing it returned.

Three-piece band Steamroller said they were “overwhelmed” by the response of the community and thanked the Oxford Mail for their help in raising awareness of the issue.

The blues-rock band had their gear snatched from their white Seat van when it was parked outside a band member’s house last week.

Thieves stole £10,000 worth of equipment, which included the band’s iconic bright-red Yahama drum kit, Peavy speaker system and several Marshall amplifiers.

Drummer Steve Winstone, 64, said he could not believe the support they had received and was delighted to see the gear found in good condition.

He added: “After seeing the reaction from Facebook and the Oxford Mail article we were delighted that the stuff is back, but overwhelmed by what putting it on Facebook did for us and what the Oxford Mail did for us. It was great teamwork.

“If it hadn’t been for the Oxford Mail, then the policeman who found the kit might not have known about it.

“Everyone has played their part in this and I’m overwhelmed from the groups and friends offering us equipment so that we could honour our gigs.”

Kidlington singer Robert Wakeley, 70, said he received a call from a police officer on Friday night asking what items of equipment had been stolen.

Then at about 10.15pm an officer rang from Thame police station and confirmed that the gig gear was theirs.

Some of the equipment was located in a field, near Garsington, and the rest in a van in Oxford.

Mr Wakeley added: “It was absolutely unbelievable. After being called on Friday me and Steve went to the station on Saturday and some of the kit was there.

“Then we got a call from a station in Oxford and they said they had found the rest of our gear in a van.

“We got everything back. I could not believe it.”

Since the theft, huge support has been offered across social media, and the band – which has bookings until Christmas – always said they would play on.

Cutteslowe bassist Roger Warner, 70, is currently in Spain and was said to be pleased with the news after the gear was stolen outside his home.

Mr Winstone added: “Roger was feeling really down about it because he was in Spain but now he is over the moon like the rest of us.

“We were going to offer £1,000 to anyone who could find the gear, but now it’s been found we have decided to give £250 each to four charities that we play gigs for.

“So our first cheque will be written out for a gig we are playing next Monday in Cassington to raise money for prostate cancer.”

Mr Winstone and Mr Wakeley thanked the police for their efforts and praised the “outstanding” Pc John Shaw.