RECORD company bosses today denied that a chart-topping band featuring an East Lancashire musician were on the verge of splitting up.

Rumours circulating within the music industry suggested that controversial singer Shaun Ryder had decided to disband his hit group Black Grape after cancelling a performance in Doncaster on Monday night.

Hyndburn-born drummer Ged Lynch has played with the group since they were formed and was joined on stage during one tour by fellow East Lancashire saxophonist Martin Slattery.

A spokesman for the group today said that the musicians had settled their differences following the dispute and that the gig had been cancelled because Shaun, who shot to fame with the Happy Mondays, had "nervous exhaustion".

He added: "Tempers were frayed when the gig was cancelled but things have been sorted out now.

"They are still planning to play their next gig on New Year's eve."

Ged Lynch has also worked with John Bon Jovi, Electronic and was in the Ruthless Rap Assassins with Black Grape rapper, Kermit.

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