THE leader of the reformed Lindisfarne has explained his decision to leave the band.

Ray Jackson, 68, was an original member of the Newcastle five-piece that topped the charts in the 1970s, singing and playing harmonica and mandolin.

He quit in 1990 and the last version of the group disbanded in 2003.

He set up Ray Jackson’s Lindisfarne, originally to help the campaign to stop the closure of Newcastle City Hall, where the band played many gigs.

The new group played Christmas shows there in 2013 and 2014 as well as some other dates elsewhere and issued a live CD.

Ina statement he said: “I was approached in 2012 to get involved with the campaign to help to save the City Hall from closure.

“I had already turned down, for the last nine years, the chance to perform again in a new line-up - Ray Jackson's Lindisfarne - and only chose to go ahead on this occasion for such a worthy cause.

“This now seems to have been achieved, and I have had two consecutive years of practically sell-out shows.

“It was great to perform again the songs which the original band recorded in the 1970s, many of which have become British classics, and I’m glad that such fantastic fans had the chance to relive the experience with me one more time.

“It was never a long-term plan and I wish the rest of the band all the best in the future.

“Just to be clear, there is only one gig to be honoured in my name in 2015.

“Thank-you to everyone who has left me such warm wishes for the future. You will always be in my heart.”

The remainder of the band have said they plan to continue.