Iron Maiden announce benefit shows for former drummer

Iron Maiden are to reconvene for a duo of gigs to help former drummer Clive Burr.

The band will appear at London's Brixton Academy on March 21 and 22, 2002 , to raise funds for Burr who is suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Following the band's Brave New World tour, Iron Maiden were due to have taken a 12 month break until beginning work on their next studio album.

However, the band heard news of Clive Burr's ill health while filming the recently-released Classic Album documentary on The Number Of The Beast.

Founding Iron Maiden member Steve Harris said: "We were gutted to hear of Clive's condition. It must be a very scary prospect for him to face.

"We are keen to help him as much as we possibly can."

Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979 and played on the band's first three albums - Iron Maiden, Killers and Number Of The Beast.

He left the band in 1983.

Though there is currently no cure for MS, Burr is reportedly helping test new drugs in the hope that his body response may contribute to a cure.

The Brixton dates will be the only shows that the band will play anywhere in the world in 2002.

Tickets for the event will cost €40 and will be made available to Iron Maiden fan club members before going on sale to the public on 25 January 2002.

All profits from the two shows will go to the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund.