SIR Paul McCartney has handed a hefty reward to a family who returned his beloved bass guitar 50 years after it was stolen.
The Beatle, 81, has also sent his thanks to Cathy Guest, who found the four-string Höfner instrument — worth an estimated £10million — in her loft.
It comes after weeks of negotiations between Cathy, 52, and his music publishing company MPL.
We exclusively revealed last month that the Höfner 500/1 electric bass, Macca’s favourite guitar which he bought for £30 in Hamburg in 1961, had been returned to him.
A source said: “They have now agreed a deal and the family have been given a very significant thank-you fee.
“Sir Paul has also expressed his gratitude to Cathy and the family.”
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It is understood the reward is a six-figure sum.
Mum-of-two Cathy, of Hastings, East Sussex, said: “I can’t talk about the amount, but I won’t be moving or doing anything to change my life. My lifestyle won’t be changing.”
After the guitar’s theft in West London, it was discovered the thief sold it to a pub landlord for “not much money plus a few free pints”.
It was later given to Cathy’s late husband by his brother.
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She found it while clearing her loft last year and realised it was Sir Paul’s after Googling it.