Gallows have been forced to cancel their three remaining UK tour dates of 2009 due to illness.

Guitarist Steph Carter is “unwell” and has been advised to rest, according to a statement on the band's MySpace page.

The cancelled dates are in Watford tomorrow (December 17), London on Friday (December 18) and Newcastle on December 22.

“We’re really sorry to disappoint all our fans who were looking forward to seeing us in 2009 but we promise we’ll come back better and stronger than ever in 2010 and we hope you’ll join us next year,” the statement added.

Refunds for the London and Newcastle dates are available from point of purchase.

The Watford show, meanwhile, will be rescheduled for a date next year and all original tickets will remain valid.

(by Jason Gregory)