A controversial chart-topping act has been banned from playing at three secret Sussex gigs because one of their members is due in court.

So Solid Crew, the 30-piece garage band from London, were to play to hand-picked audiences of under 18s at venues in Southwick, Horsham and Haywards Heath this month and next.

West Sussex County Council arranged the concerts as part of its Gravity project for teenagers, despite the fact the band were banned from nationwide touring after a shooting at their Brixton concert last October.

But now the council has told them not to come after being tipped off about a pending court appearance of Asher D, one of the members who had promised to visit the venues.

Asher D, real name Ashley Walters, is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on March 4, where he will deny charges of threats to kill and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence on July 30 last year.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "Asher D's court appearance came to our attention last week and we felt, in the circumstances, it would be better if they didn't come down.

"This is not just a county council project so we consulted Adur, Horsham and Mid Sussex district councils and the police. Everyone felt it was best for them not to come.

"The safety of the teenagers involved in Gravity is paramount. We didn't want a huge number of people to turn up."

Gravity co-ordinator Matt Langridge had been in talks with the band for months and had been assured violence would not break out in West Sussex.

The concerts were intended as a finale to months of DJ and dance workshops for local youngsters, in an effort to get them off the streets.

Mr Langridge said: "So Solid Crew have had a lot of bad Press but I've spoken to them and they have reassured me the shooting in Brixton wasn't anything to do with them."