Saxon have postponed their European tour because frontman Biff Byford has a throat virus.

The vocalist needs at least two weeks’ rest. However, the UK dates with Anvil and Suidakra in November will go ahead as planned.

Saxon have also got plans to fully mix the recently unearthed tapes of their performance at the first ever Monsters Of Rock Festival at Donington in 1980.

Says Biff: “I’m not sure what we’ll do with it. Maybe give it away as a bonus CD, or as a free download. We shall see.”

As previously reported on the Classic Rock website, a Saxon documentary, Heavy Metal Thunder, is now in production, celebrating the band’s 30th anniversary.