Stone Roses threatened by gigs boycott

Photographers are reportedly planning to boycott the Stone Roses' huge homecoming gigs this weekend over a contract the band has ordered them to sign.

The cult group is set to play to 240,000 fans over three nights in Manchester after announcing a reunion last year following a 16-year break.

But several snappers planning to cover the event have threatened to pull out after they were asked to sign a contract surrendering all rights to their pictures. The protest is being backed by Britain's National Union of Journalists.

Photographer Ian Tilton tells the BBC, "I understand that the Stone Roses want to make money from the pictures. But I don't agree that the photographers can only use the pictures once, for one publication. The photographers should be allowed to earn money from the pictures they take."

A Stone Roses representative denied photographers are plotting a boycott, insisting he has a "full quota" of snappers covering the shows.

The hotly-anticipated outdoor concerts are also at risk of being turned into a washout - weather experts are predicting torrential rain will hit the site at various times over the weekend.