The drummer of rock band Travis was having an operation on his spine in France on Thursday after suffering head and back injuries in a fall at a swimming pool.

Neil Primrose was undergoing the surgery on Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for the band said.

The drummer, 30, was knocked unconscious when he dived into the pool and had to be dragged out of the water by friends.

We are very hopeful they will remain on the V line-up

Bob Angus V2002 festival organiser

He was expected to make a full recovery, and organisers of August's V2002 Festival in the UK have said they were "very hopeful" that the band would still be able to play their headlining slot.

The operation was necessary "to help repair the injury to his vertebrae", a band spokesman said.

Before the operation, doctors took an X-ray and said Primrose should be able to go home by the end of the week.

The accident happened as the Scottish chart-toppers relaxed between tour dates in Belfort, eastern France.

Primrose's wife has flown out to be with him

A statement from a band spokesman before the operation said: "Medical staff advise that Neil shall hopefully be discharged from hospital this weekend and the doctors are confident that he will make a full recovery but it is unclear at this stage how long this will take."

V2002 festival organiser Bob Angus reassured fans that the band could still play the festival, which takes place on the weekend of the 16-17 August.

"We are sure that we speak along with the V festival and Travis fans when we wish Neil a very speedy and full recovery," he said.

"We are very hopeful they will remain on the V line-up and will be keeping everybody updated as and when we know."

The band has had to cancel two dates in Italy, one in France and one in Ireland.

Support

The other members of the band - Andy Dunlop, Dougie Payne and Fran Healy - praised members of the crew who went to the drummer's aid immediately after the accident.

They said: "We hope that everyone will join us in wishing our friend and bandmate a full and quick recovery.

"We're all thinking of him. Thanks to all our fans and friends for all the support you have shown and we also want to take this opportunity to thank the members of the crew whose actions were so crucial on the night."

Primrose, 30, also thanked fans for their good wishes and the doctors and nurses who had helped.