Stolen costumes: return to sender

10:29am Monday 22nd January 2007

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THE entire costume collection of Europe's former number one Elvis impersonator has been returned to sender after it was stolen from his car.

Leigh Casling, a contract manager for John O'Conner, from Marshalswick, is delighted to be reunited with his wardrobe after a woman stumbled across his clothes while walking her dog in Nomansland Wood.

The singer had been left all shook up when thieves smashed the back window of his van, which was parked in Wheathampstead Cricket Club car park and stole a plain brown suitcase from the back seat.

But thieves, who would not have known it was filled with specially-made Elvis wigs, sideburns, costume jewellery, jumpsuits, platform boots and business cards, dumped the contents in the wood.

Leigh, who was voted the number one Elvis Presley impersonator in Europe in 2005, said: "Apart from 30 scarves which I use to throw to the audience, it's all there, just a bit dirty.

"It's great, it's so nice that the woman took the time to contact me. It was heartbreaking when it happened.

"To them it's nothing, they just smashed the back window and took what they could. But to me, apart from costing an arm and a leg, it's more sentimental than anything."

The popular singer, who turned on the St Albans Christmas lights this year, was worried that without his costumes he would have to cancel future charity gigs and, not wanting to lose that loving feeling, he immediately ordered new sets of the expensive specially-made costumes. Coupled with his originals, he now has a wide selection of outfits to make him stand out on stage.

One item that he is particularly pleased to have back is a gold-coloured chain given to him by his daughter as a good luck gift.

He said: "My little girl gave it to me for my first show and I've worn it at every gig. Something like that can't be replaced."