THE estranged father of model Heather Mills has been gagged by Sir Paul McCartney from speaking about their forthcoming wedding.

The former Beatle criticised Mark Mills after he told reporters he had not been invited to see his own daughter tie the knot.

The lonely 60-year-old has still not received an invitation to the New York bash - with just three weeks to go until the pair tie the knot.

As McCartney and Heather make the finishing touches to their June 7 wedding at their Long Island mansion, Mr Mills said from his modest £50,000 terraced home in Washington, Wearside: "I've been told not to say anything"

He pointed reporters to a piece of A4 paper on his front door which read: "No comment - it's family business".

But he then told reporters: "It's not up to me, because I would tell you everything.

"I love Heather - but Paul rang me and said he wanted no Press or publicity."

Heather has had a strained relationship with her father since the death of her mother Beatrice 14 years ago. He suffered a stroke two years later which left him disabled.

But his condition did not stop his ex-model daughter giving him a public roasting in her autobiography, in which she claimed he beat her as a child.

Clutching the crystal glass fruit bowl he has bought for the pair's wedding present - engraved with the words: "To Heather and Macca from Father" - he said: "I haven't had an invite yet.

"But with the stroke it would be difficult for me to travel to New York."

Heather announced her engagement to the multi-millionaire Sir Paul McCartney in August last year.