Bad throat forces Sting to cancel

Sting has suffered from laryngitis during his tour

Rock star Sting has cancelled the opening night of his UK tour in his home city of Newcastle.

The singer had been due to open the UK portion of his world tour at the city's Metro Radio Arena on Friday.

But doctors advised Sting to cancel the performance because he is suffering from a throat infection.

A planned performance at Manchester Evening News Arena on Saturday has also been cancelled. Both dates will be rescheduled to a later date.

On Thursday, Sting, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, said he was "praying" he would be fit to sing in Newcastle.

"On behalf of the artist, promoter and the Metro Radio Arena, may we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused by circumstances out of anyone's control," a statement on the arena's Web site said.

It added the show would probably be rescheduled for October or November.