Madchester Icons Stone Roses 'To Re-Form'

Manchester band the Stone Roses are to re-form 15 years since they split up, it is being reported.

Journalists have received invitations to a "special press conference for a very important announcement" at a London hotel on Tuesday.

And despite no official confirmation from members of the group, who fell apart in 1996 amid legal wrangles and internal rows, rumours of their reunification have intensified.

The band's self-titled first album, released in 1989, is seen by many as one of the greatest debuts of all time.

Murray Chalmers PR, which is handling the news conference, declined to comment on the nature of the event.

A spokesman said: "We have never said which artist is having the press conference nor what will be discussed there."

But it is being widely reported that the influential band will outline a series of comeback concerts.

Guitarist John Squire quit in 1995 and although the band limped on with a replacement, the group split after a disastrous performance at Reading Festival in 1996.

Singer Ian Brown has enjoyed success as a solo star, bass player Mani joined Primal Scream and Squire charted with his band The Seahorses before pursuing an art career.

The band's drummer Reni has slipped out of the limelight since the band ended.

Squire, whose distinctive artwork graced many of their record covers, was among former members who had refuted suggestions they might reform.

He once created a metallic artwork decorated with the phrase "I have no desire whatsoever to desecrate the grave of seminal Manchester pop group The Stone Roses" and displayed it on his website.