Opera star Luciano Pavarotti has pulled out of a summer concert at Warwick Castle because of health problems.

The 70-year-old singer was due to perform at Warwick on July 15 as part of a four-date UK farewell tour.

The concert was to be conducted by Italian Maestro, Leone Magiera, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) were to accompany the great tenor.

But Pavarotti's manager Terri Robson yesterday said the tenor has suffered a setback while recovering from back surgery performed in New York. Warwick Castle yesterday offered refunds to fans who had already bought tickets for the performance, which are priced at #45, #65 and #85 plus a booking fee.

The refunds are available from the point of purchase.

The event was being staged as part of the castle's Summer Nights programme.

Mr Robson said that Mr Pavarotti was hopeful that the all the cancelled dates could be re-scheduled.

He said: "The tenor suffered a setback last month whilst recovering from surgery performed in New York.

"The surgery, to correct a painful lower back condition, was pronounced a complete s uccess. However, Mr Pavarotti went on to develop an infection during his stay in hospital.

"Mr Pavarotti's American doctors announced yesterday that it has become necessary for him to undergo further medical treatment and continue a course of intensive physiotherapy throughout July.

"Mr Pavarotti is deeply disappointed by the delay to his recovery and offers an enormous apology to the many fans affected by this announcement.

"He looks forward to returning to the UK to celebrate his Farewell Tour when appropriate dates can be re-scheduled."

Mr Pavarotti had been due to kick off his four-date visit in Glasgow on July 5.

He was then to perform at Chatsworth House on July 8, Southampton Rose Bowl on July 12 and Warwick Castle on July 15.

Glasgow concert venue the SECC said the performance had been rescheduled to November 18, with all tickets valid for the new date or a refund offered.

It is not yet known if the three other UK concerts, including Warwick, will be rescheduled for later in the year.

The UK dates are the latest in a series of Farewell Tour concerts cancelled by Pavarotti.

Last month the singer postponed five North American dates because of complications with his back surgery.

Four performances in Canada and one in the US were delayed until October, and in April he scrapped eight concerts after injuring his back.

Mr Pavarotti said before his health problems that he was looking forward to performing in the UK.

Mr Pavarotti last performed in Birmingham in October 2002. After one concert he stayed in a suite at Broad Street's Hyatt Regency Hotel where he cooked a huge pasta feast.