Former chart stars Roxy Music spoke of the "unfinished business" which had brought them back together after nearly 18 years, as they announced a string of UK dates yesterday.

And the band - famed for hits such as Virginia Plain and Love is the Drug - held out the possibility of recording new songs when the world tour is over.

Singer Bryan Ferry, born in Washington, Wearside, said yesterday: "We've got no plans with regard to recording. Who knows? Ask us again in September when we finish the tour."

The Seventies pioneers - who topped the charts once, with a cover of John Lennon's Jealous Guy - will play arena dates in Britain and Ireland in June, including Newcastle Telewest Arena on June 12.

Guitarist Phil Manzanera said: "There was always the sense of unfinished business from my point of view. We always had a lot more to give."

Ferry said: "I've been doing quite a few songs from the Roxy years in my show and so I thought the logical extension of that was to put the band together."

He said both Manzanera and saxophonist Andy Mackay were keen to do it. The trio have been the band's core since forming in the early Seventies