A retired architect who lost six years of paintings when a sketchbook fell out of his bag in Kingsbury is appealing for help in finding it.

Sudha Thakur, of Hunters Grove, carries the book with him wherever he travels in case he sees something to sketch or paint, and has built up tens of drawings in the black covered ring-bound pad.

But when he got on the Jubilee line at Kingsbury Station on Thursday, he noticed the treasured sketchbook had fallen out of his bag, and years of work along with it.

He said “I’m really devastated by it – it’s a bit gutting.

“There was a lot of information in it, probably about six years worth – it means everything to me, it’s like losing part of your life.

“I had it with me when I was walking in The Mall towards Kingsbury Station, but when I sat down on the Tube I noticed the zip of my bag was open and I’d lost it.”

Mr Thakur is offering a £40 reward for the return of the sketchbook, which includes portraits of friends and paintings of Green Park, and has put up posters around the area appealing for help.

He added: “I’ve always painted throughout my whole life, and I carry my sketchbook with me wherever I go so I can make notes and draw sketches that I can paint later.”

Anyone with information should call him on 07950784912.