Former Members of New Order and Alex James of Blur have formed a new band.

Bad Lieutenant, which features James on bass alongside singer Bernard Sumner, drummer Stephen Morris and guitarist Phil Cunningham, release their debut album in October.

Sumner told BBC Newsbeat he was “very proud” of the record, adding: “It's pretty guitary too because we've got three guitarists in the band."

The band are expected to tour in support of the record later this year before playing the summer festivals together in 2010.

The announcement comes as James and his Blur bandmates are due to kick off their reunion tour tomorrow in Colchester.

The group will also perform at the Glastonbury festival later this month, before playing two headline shows at London's Hyde Park in July.

(by Jason Gregory)