An amateur musician has been reunited with his collection of guitars eight years after they were stolen.

The man told police he had given up hope of ever seeing his seven guitars again after a burglary at his home in Epsom, Surrey, in 2009.

The instruments were found during a drugs raid at a property in Tadworth, Surrey, last year. Surrey police have since returned them to their anonymous owner.

“We had effectively given up hope of ever getting the instruments back but we’re delighted that they have now been returned,” the musician was quoted as saying.

PC Wendy Kimber, from Reigate and Banstead neighbourhood team, described the find as “exceptional”. “We are thrilled to be able to reunite these highly valued items with their rightful owner,” she said.

Kimber urged the public to insure and photograph valuable possessions. “You never know where they could turn up.”

A man arrested at the property where the guitars were recovered was later convicted of handling stolen goods and admitted growing and producing cannabis. This month at Guildford crown court he received a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid community work.