Charlatans drummer 'feeling fit'

Jon Brookes, drummer with indie band The Charlatans, says he is feeling fit and positive after an operation for a brain tumour.

Brookes, of Burntwood, Staffordshire, was diagnosed with the tumour after collapsing during a gig in Philadelphia last month.

Brookes, who briefly stopped breathing, was helped by a doctor attending the show.

He said he was at the "start of the long road of treatment for cancer".

The drummer described how he "saw lights" in the corner of his eyes before collapsing at the concert at Johnny Brenda's on 15 September.

He was rushed to hospital in Philadelphia for emergency treatment.

Brookes is going to rejoin band members on stage at the end of their gig at the 02 Arena in Birmingham on Saturday.

The Charlatans began their European tour in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, on 5 October.

The Verve's Pete Salisbury has been doing the UK dates with the band as a temporary replacement for Brookes.