A SEVENTIES pop star turned successful businessman has been forced to put his musical comeback on hold - after burglars raided his York home and stole all his new songs.

Peter Hawkins is now the managing director of Clifton Moor-based communications company Local Telecom Service.

But 30 years ago he was singing and playing guitar with

Pickettywitch, who enjoyed a 14-week spell in the charts with That Same Old Feeling, in 1970.

They also had hits with (It's Like A) Sad Old Kinda Movie and Baby I Won't Let You Down.

After building his business up for the last 15 years, Peter, 54, of Upper Poppleton, had just started to write songs again. But two nights ago, his dream of performing again hit a major snag.

He explained: "I arrived home from the office to find the bottom panel of my kitchen door had been kicked in by burglars. They had been into my study, which I have converted into a studio, and taken my keyboard and digital recording studio.

"They also took a mini-disc and player, which included about 30 to 40 new ideas for songs.

"It's convenient to put the basic ideas on mini-disc, but unless I can recover the disc I'll have to start from scratch again," he added.

Peter, of Dikelands Lane, said anyone who comes across the disc can send it free of charge to his business address, FREEPOST NEA 1376 York YO30 4ZZ.

"I would be really pleased if I got it back, as I've been enjoying writing again and it would be a shame if this set me back to square one," said Peter.

The burglary took place during the day on Wednesday. As well as the electrical equipment, the thieves took Peter's car, a green Honda Accord.

The car's registration is B4 LTS and has his company's name and telephone number marked on them.

York police can be contacted on York 631321.

Updated: 14:29 Friday, November 16, 2001