As leaders of the late-Seventies punk rock revolt, the Sex Pistols waged war on polite society with their outrageous stunts.

But 25 years after their hell-raising heyday, the Sex Pistols have been on their best behaviour this week at a Sussex country house.

The legendary band, fronted by Johnny Rotten, have been rehearsing in studios at Stanbridge Farm at Handcross, near Haywards Heath.

Star acts such as Phil Collins, Duran Duran and Take That have all recorded at the 500-year-old farmhouse set in 15 acres.

Owner Bob Birthwright might have expected his latest guests would prove more of a handful.

The Sex Pistols caused a storm with their foul-mouthed appearance on teatime TV show Today in December 1976.

Their monarchist-baiting single God Save The Queen was banned by the BBC in 1977, the Queen's Silver Jubilee year.

And councils across the UK banned them as their public appearances sparked mayhem.

Now music guru Mr Birthwright, who took over at Stanbridge in 1987, said: "There's been no reason for complaint at all."

The band have been at the studio for the past week and a half, playing for up at seven hours a day, and are due to leave tomorrow.

They are rehearsing ahead of a reunion gig at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on Saturday.

Mr Birthwright said: "They've been sounding absolutely brilliant. Johnny's been on very good form and everyone's enjoyed themselves.

"The weather's been nice so the band have had the doors open while they've been playing. There's been a real spirit of excitement.

"I wasn't a massive fan of the Pistols before they came but I am now."

Among the tracks rehearsed are Pistols favourites such as Anarchy In The UK and Pretty Vacant and a cover of Frank Sinatra's My Way released as a single by former Pistols bassist Sid Vicious, who died of a heroin overdose in 1979.