Stone Roses Reunion Gigs Set Ticket Record

Tickets for the Stone Roses' eagerly anticipated reunion gigs sold out just an hour after release, setting a new record.

All of the 220,000 tickets for the three outdoor live shows next year were snapped up after they were released for sale on a website at 9am on Friday.

The news of the band reforming was met with delight by fans, including another Manchester star, former Oasis singer Liam Gallagher.

In a message on Twitter, he said: " Stone Roses getting back together - not been this happy since my kids were born."

Due to the huge demand by fans after the first two dates sold out in just 14 minutes promoters decided to add a further date to the gigs which take place in Manchester's Heaton Park.

The extra date, July 1, also sold out in 68 minutes, with promoters claiming it had become the fastest-selling rock gig in the UK.

Singer Ian Brown said: "We plan on spending the rest of the day jumping up and down with our hands in the air."

On the band getting back together, he added: "I think we are great and I think we have still got it and I think we've got something to give to people. And I think in times like this we can uplift people."

Bass player Gary 'Mani' Mounfield said: "There is something magical happens when us four are in a room together. You cannot put your finger on it. It is just so beautiful to get hold of it again."

The Stone Roses announced they were reforming earlier this week after singer Ian Brown and guitarist John Squire seemed to have settled their differences.

The two had not spoken for years after the band broke up in 1996 following Squire's decision to leave.

The band are now working on new songs and are hoping to release a new album at some point.

They enjoyed huge success following the release of their first self-titled album in 1989 and are best known for tracks such as Fool's Gold, I Am The Resurrection and I Wanna Be Adored.