LYNYRD SKYNYRD - CONFUSION OVER LYNYRD SKYNYRD MEMORIAL

Rockers LYNYRD SKYNYRD are at the centre of an controversy after city officials in Miami, Oklahoma requested an investigation into a memorial reportedly honouring two members of the band.

There is concern over at least two web sites soliciting funds for a monument in honour of guitarist STEVE GAINES and his sister, backup vocalist CASSIE GAINES - who died in a plane crash (77) along with singer RONNIE VAN ZANT.

City manager MICHAEL SPURGEON has asked the district attorney to remove this erroneous information, while LARRY GOWER who headed up efforts to raise money for the memorials - says he is not actively raising funds.

He claims instead that contributions occasionally get made over the Internet, but he stopped fund-raising after a 1988 benefit concert consumed the $8,000 (GBP4,444) he had already raised.