An award-winning musician’s laptop containing his “entire life” was stolen during a concert.

John Grant, 45, had been performing at St George’s Church in St George's Road, Brighton, on Thursday night when he discovered his computer had been swiped from the stage.

Writing on his Facebook page after the incident Mr Grant said: “After our show in Brighton tonight someone who was apparently in the audience stole my computer off the stage, which has my entire life on it.

“I am shocked and just completely speechless.

"I don’t understand why or how someone could do this, but if whoever took it is reading this, if you turn it in to the church where we played or leave it at Jurys Inn in Brighton, there will be no consequences, no questions asked.

“I have so many things on that computer which I need.”

Mr Grant is an American singer-songwriter formerly associated with the Denver-based alternative rock band The Czars.

His debut solo album Queen of Denmark was chosen as Best Album of 2010 by the British music magazine Mojo.

One band member, drummer Kristinn Agnarsson, tweeted that one of the crew had “looked away for a bit, and then it was gone”.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “We received a call just after midnight.

“The laptop was reported stolen from St George’s church in Kemp Town where Mr. Grant had been performing.

"We believe the laptop was taken at around 11.30pm.

“At the moment there have been no arrests made and the laptop is still missing. We are currently unaware of what was on the laptop.”

One fan, Steve Slade from Eastbourne, said: “John your gig last night was truly amazing and at times very moving.

“Don’t let the moron who took your computer prevent you from coming back again. I hope it is returned to you very soon.”

Anyone with information should contact Sussex Police on 101.