HAPPY Mondays dancer Bez has been barred from entering the US.

The Salford band are scheduled to perform this weekend in America for the first time in 15 years.

But they will be without an essential ingredient at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, after Bez - real name Mark Berry - was refused a visa.

All other members of the band, including lead singer Shaun Ryder, have been allowed into the country to perform at the festival.

A statement from the band said the blocking of 43-year-old Bez was due to immigration laws.

"Because of the tightening of immigration and working visa legislation, Bez was not, unfortunately, able to secure a visa to perform at Coachella this weekend," it said.

"Happy Mondays apologise to all their US fans that they will not, on this occasion, be able to enjoy the spectacle of Bez shaking his stuff for them at Coachella."

No further information on the reasons for the immigration problem was made available, but it is believed to concern his previous drugs convictions.

It is not the first time he has been refused entry. In 2003 Bez was furious when American customs officials sent him packing due to his criminal record. He said at the time: "I turn up and I like to smoke a spliff - a totally peaceful pastime. And they refuse me access to their country." Happy Mondays are scheduled to perform tomorrow on the same bill as Lily Allen.

Bez is, however, expected to appear with the band on their sold-out British tour next month. The band are mixing the follow-up album to 1992's Yes Please! It is being produced by hip-hop producer Sonny Levine and mixed by Bjork and US producer Howie B. It features legendary guitarist Ry Cooder.