A leading classical musician has told of his devastation after his prized golden flute was stolen from a bar on London’s South Bank.

Samuel Coles, principal flautist with the Philharmonia Orchestra, was drinking with a friend when the £50,000 instrument was swiped from next to his feet.

He had been performing Schubert’s Ninth Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall a few hours before the thief struck at the Archduke Wine Bar.

Mr Coles believes the culprit may have been attracted by his Louis Vuitton bag, which also had his £10,000 wooden piccolo inside.

Describing the theft, he said: “It was very crowded in the bar. There were lots and lots of people. At the time I was just engaging with the person in front of me. Maybe I should have been more careful. It is hard to know if I was targeted because of the instruments but I think they may have been drawn to my Louis Vuitton bag.”

Mr Coles, 52, moved to France in his twenties but returned to London five years ago after being invited to play with the Philharmonia, based at the Royal Festival Hall.

He once played with the lost flute on a recording of a Mozart concerto with world-renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin.

He added that he had found it “difficult” to have to adapt to a new one after the theft of his original, which he has owned for about 30 years.

Mr Coles, who lives in Clapham, said: “It is terrible — absolutely awful. The flute was a major part of my musical life. It is very difficult to have to find another instrument. It is a hard adjustment to get used to a new one.

“That was my favourite flute — I built my whole career on it. It would be wonderful to get it back.” Detectives investigating the theft on the evening of October 1 have released CCTV pictures of two men they want to question.

They have also released pictures of the instruments, both designed by flutemakers Brannen-Cooper, in an attempt to trace them.

The suspects were both described as Mediterranean. One had dark short hair, a beard and dark trousers.

The other also had dark short hair, was wearing a light coloured top and was carrying a colourful rucksack, police said.

Anyone with information can contact 020 8649 2405 or 101 and quote crime reference 1230543/15 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.