The Stone Roses announced they are reforming at a press conference in London yesterday (October 18) – scroll down and click below to hear the media scrum in full.

The original line-up - frontman Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Mani and drummer Reni - announced the news at London's Soho Hotel at 5pm (BG time) yesterday afternoon where they revealed plans for two homecoming gigs at Heaton Park on June 29-30 in 2012 before embarking on an extensive world tour.

They also revealed they are working on new material and intend to perform some at the shows. Tickets for the double header go on sale at 9.30am this Friday (October 21). For further information go to their newly launched The Stone Roses official website Thestoneroses.org.

Brown declared:
"This is a live resurrection, and you're invited, so you'd better be there."

Speaking about the success of recent rehearsals, Mani added: "Something magical happens when us four are in the room together, you can't put your finger on it. It's just beautiful to capture it again. I've missed it."

The bassist also said that he has been allowed to leave his current band Primal Scream to "follow his dream".

The four-piece admitted they each had personal reasons for the reunion, while Brown criticised the current music scene, saying it was "boring, bland and corporate with nobody saying anything".

Speaking about how long the reunion would last, Brown said he would carry on "until the wheels fall off", Mani said it was a "suck it and see thing" and Reni added that he would be "happy with 12 months".