A HAPPY, tuneful Christmas was in jeopardy for a well-known musical ensemble -- after a heartless opportunist thief struck in this season of good will.

For a black brief case containing Haydock Male Voice Choir's Yuletide music was stolen from a car owned by the group's librarian Roy Cunliffe on Monday.

Roy had parked alongside Haydock Conservative Club -- venue of the next carol concert on Friday -- and discovered the break-in when he returned to his vehicle just minutes later.

He told the Star: "After finalising arrangements for tomorrow's charity event I nipped out to the car to get a box of chocolates for the club stewardess, and everything was in order.

"But I was gutted on leaving to find that entry to my car had been gained by smashing the rear window and the case, which contained just sheet music, records and other items relevant only to Haydock Male Voice Choir, had gone.

"The contents were vital to our on-going fund-raising work for many worthy causes," added a perplexed Roy.

But there's a happy ending as the case was found under a lorry a couple of miles from the scene of the robbery... so it's on with the show gentlemen!