Red Square Clapton gig cancelled

The cancellation means Clapton's tour will now end in Helsinki

Musician Eric Clapton has called off a concert in Moscow's Red Square after Russian officials withdrew permission for the event.

The singer had been scheduled to play before 20,000 people on 3 August and had a permit "signed by all appropriate Russian city and state authorities".

According to his website, however, the permit was withdrawn on 28 July.

The statement said he was "extremely sorry" to disappoint his fans, but the situation was "beyond his control".

Clapton had intended to end his current European tour in Moscow. Instead it will now finish on Monday in Helsinki, Finland.

Reunion

The 61-year-old performs in the Swedish capital Stockholm on Saturday night.

Later this year he will tour the US and Canada with blues musician Robert Cray.

In 2005 Clapton joined his former Cream bandmates Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce for a handful of reunion concerts.

The British guitarist's many hits include I Shot the Sheriff, Wonderful Tonight and Layla, recorded as Derek and the Dominoes.