What a pane: Sale of stained glass Hearts legend Bobby Walker halted

A STAINED glass window believed to depict Hearts’ legendary player Bobby Walker is the subject of a police investigation after it was pulled from an auction amid claims that it belonged in an Edinburgh pub.

The decorative piece had been due to go under the hammer today at Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh, after its anonymous owner told the auction house it had been gifted to him by his late father.

However, the window, which had been expected to reach up to £1,200, is now the focus of an investigation by Lothian and Borders Police after they were contacted by Punch Taverns, owners of the Station Tavern, where regulars say it had been a fixture for years.

While the Station Tavern has been owned by Punch Taverns for several years, the premises were leased to another party.

Philip Gregory, from Lyon Turnbull, confirmed that the window had been withdrawn from its Decorative Arts auction today and was now in the hands of police.

He said: “It’s been withdrawn. We have very close links with the Lothian and Borders police. We report anomalies to them and they make a decision about what happens.”

Jenni Fryer, communications manager for Punch Taverns, said: “We can confirm that we are aware of the situation and are currently investigating.