Violin expert Arnold is taking a final bow

A violin maker is laying down his chisel after 22 years of crafting the instruments from a workshop in his garage.

RAF veteran Arnold Garbett began making violins from his home in Pye Green Road, Cannock, after retiring from his job as a manufacturing superintendent. The 82-year-old has been playing the violin since he was seven.

He decided to start crafting them himself "because the ones in the shops just weren't good enough."

But after more than two decades, and with many satisfied customers in his order book, Mr Garbett has decided enough is enough.

"I've recently had an operation on my knees and it's starting to get to them when I'm standing to chisel from the blocks of wood," he said.

"I think I've had a good run.

"I take my time over them, sometimes I've spent a year making just one.

"I'm told they're probably worth about £2,000 each because there aren't many people making their own violins any more and they are much better than the ones in the shops.

"But I started it as a hobby and I've never had anything like that sort of money for them.

"My final violin will go to a friend of mine in Lichfield who has ordered it for his son."

Grandfather-of-one Mr Garbett, who performed violin for fellow RAF troops during a tour of the Middle East in 1946, has also made a hobby of repairing damaged violins and donating them to local schools.

He still performs monthly with the Walsall Senior Citizen Orchestra, but wife Cicely, 78, will not be sad to see the end of his craft.

"She's told me she's very pleased that I'm going to be giving it up" Mr Garbett added.

"And she says people can stop bringing their broken violins here to be repaired now as well."