Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has criticised former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney for cancelling an Australian tour because of the Bali bombings.

Richards, who lives in West Wittering, near Chichester, said: "I say to Osama and the boys: 'Bring it on - evaporate me.'

"If it gets to the stage where these guys are dictating if we rock or not, then forget about it.

"If McCartney uses these guys as an excuse, he should give it away.

"Don't give them the power.

"I can't wait to tour Australia, even if they take out my plane on the way there."

Sir Paul, who has a home in Peasmarsh, near Rye, and also lives in Hove with wife Heather, staged a benefit concert for the victims of the 2001 September 11 terror attacks, which inspired his song Freedom.