BAND AID 20 - BAND AID 20'S US SNUB

BAND AID 20's version of 1984 charity hit DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS? has been dealt a massive blow in its bid to alleviate the famine crisis in Sudan - it's not going to be released in America.

The tune - featuring contributions from such stars as BONO, CHRIS MARTIN, ROBBIE WILLIAMS and DIDO - is expected to top the British singles chart this Sunday (05DEC04) and will hit record store shelves across the world over the coming weeks.

Although US record stores are selling imports of the tune - which is proving popular in Los Angeles and New York - music giants UNIVERSAL have decided against distributing copies of the song across the country.

But music fans in the US are able to access the song and download it on Band Aid 20's official website.

Proceeds from the sales are going towards relief for the Darfur region of Sudan and to combat HIV and Aids across Africa.