Gilmour to release Barrett single

Gilmour and Bowie performed the song at the Royal Albert Hall

Pink Floyd star David Gilmour is to release a tribute single to his former bandmate Syd Barrett.

The EP will feature live performances of two songs written by the reclusive guitarist, who died this year.

One of the tracks, Arnold Layne, features vocals from David Bowie, who appeared at one of Gilmour's Royal Albert Hall gigs over the summer.

Barrett was a founder member of Pink Floyd and an influential songwriter, penning the band's early hits.

The guitarist joined the group in 1965 but left three years later, after just one album.

Recluse

He went on to live as a recluse in Cambridge, with his mental deterioration blamed on drugs.

Bowie has long been a fan of Barrett's recordings with Pink Floyd, as well as his brief solo career.

He paid tribute to the songwriter on his death in July this year, calling him a "major inspiration".

"His impact on my thinking was enormous. A major regret is that I never got to know him. A diamond indeed," he said.

Gilmour's EP will feature two versions of the psychedelic single Arnold Layne, which reached number 20 in 1967 - despite a ban from the BBC.

As well as Bowie's performance, there will be a recording featuring vocals from Pink Floyd keyboard player Richard Wright.

The third track is a solo acoustic performance of Dark Globe, one of the tracks from Barrett's first solo album, The Madcap Laughs.

It will be released as a download on Christmas Day, and will be available in shops a day later.