A Barnsley man wants to bring his late granddad's 87-year old banjo back to its former glory.

Jez Platts's granddad Garnett Rolling died last year aged 104. He was a renowned character in Darfield and featured in the Chronicle several times. He gave the banjo to Jez, 37, more than 20 years ago and Jez tried to play it and eventually was put away for another day.

Jez, of Racecommon Road, Barnsley, says the time's right to bring it back to its former glory. "I'd really like to make it shine again, and maybe take a few lessons. It's in need of a bit of TLC." The banjo still has the original catgut strings.

Jez's mum, Joan, said:"My dad loved that banjo. We couldn't touch it. It was his pride and joy.

"We were all born in a house next to where the library is in Darfield, and he sometimes used to sit outside on the front playing it, in the summer mainly.

"He played in a bit of a group as well with his brother, and a lad called Fred Long who had a shop in Darfield."

Jez's brother, Jeff, said: "What I've gathered from doing a lot of research is, they're not worth a lot of money, old banjos, so rather than restoring them, people tend to just buy a new one.

"I don't know if there is anyone who could restore it, but obviously it's got sentimental value for the family, so we'd really like to have it restored properly."

Anyone who can help should contact mike.cotton@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk