Police star hints of more to come

Copeland has composed scores for more than 60 TV shows and films

Police drummer Stewart Copeland has refused to rule out a further reunion with the band following last year's successful world tour.

Copeland described the experience as "great" and said the constraints of being in a band again had been a catalyst for creativity.

"I'd recommend that every artist should do it every 20 years. So call me in 20 years," said the 56-year-old.

Copeland has just finished composing the score for the show Ben Hur Live.

The ambitious touring event, described by producer Philip McKinley as an "operatic sports event", premieres in London in September before travelling through Europe.

'No-brainer'

The highlight of the performance will feature a live chariot race involving 20 horses over a 180m course.

Copeland said he did not hesitate to accept the offer of writing the score, which took him 11 weeks to write, calling it a "no-brainer".

He said the work was "music mixed with media, some thrashing drums with an ethnic element, a Middle Eastern feel".

Copeland was born in the US but spent his early life in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon which has heavily influenced his composition work.

Th Police scored a string of hits in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Their recent tour boasted 150 shows and lasted 14 months. It was the top-earning tour of 2007.

The group played to more than three million people, with the tour raking in $350m (£181m).