Poverty campaigner Sir Bob Geldof has pulled out of Margate's Christmas lights, just a week before the ceremony.

The appearance of the former Boomtown Rat singer and Live Aid frontman was due to be the focal point of the celebrations on Saturday, November 29.

But a statement issued by his spokesman today said: "Sir Bob has been informed that he must attend a political arrangement in Doha, Qatar, on November 29." He confirmed that "Sir Bob is very disappointed not to be able to be in Margate."

Town mayor Cllr Brian Sullivan said : "We are all very sorry that Sir Bob is unable to join us, but let’s not forget that the event is about Margate, the town and the people and the new lights will still be switched on."

He said Sir Bob would be making a recorded message to play on the evening.

The lights will be switched on jointly by two major cast members of the panto Aladdin, which is being staged at the Winter Gardens in January. Ben Mills from the X Factor, who is playing Aladdin, and Mark Arden (London’s Burning, Teenage Kicks) who is playing Abanazar.

Earlier this year Sir Bob, who has lived at Davington Priory, Faversham, for 23 years, referred to "the ugliness of Margate" in an article in Kent County Council’s free newspaper Around Kent.