Stradivarius found in rubbish bin

A NURSE found a cello by master craftsman Antonio Stradivari lying by a bin — and almost had it converted into a CD holder.

The $3 million (€2.5m) instrument was returned to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association yesterday after sitting unrecognised for days in the home of Melanie Stevens, 29, who found it on her way to visit a patient.

Ms Stevens discovered the 320-year-old cello in its plastic case a mile from where it had been stolen.