The amount involved in settling the High Court case between Tony McCarroll and the rest of the group was revealed on Wednesday.

The case finished on Tuesday without brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher putting in a court appearance.

Tony McCarroll: Had claimed �18m

Oasis lawyer Raz Mireskandari said the lump sum was paid to buy out any future royalties claims by McCarroll.

It means that he will no longer have any connection with Oasis, or any future claim on the group's earnings relating to any of the music he was involved in.

Both sides will pay their own legal costs of around �200,000 each.

Original claim for �18m

The financial agreement was approved by the courts on Wednesday.

Mr McCarroll's original claim for unpaid royalties amounted to a fifth of the band's earnings since he was replaced by Alan White in 1995 - an estimated �18m.

Mr McCarroll left the chart-topping band just as the group were embarking on the most successful phase of their career.

He was with them just long enough to enjoy the success of the first Oasis album, Definitely Maybe.

An original member of the Oasis line-up, he first formed the band as The Rain with guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and bass player Paul McGuigan, before either Gallagher brother joined.

Neither Gallagher brothers appeared in court

Mr McCarroll says he was "unlawfully expelled from the partnership" but there are differing accounts of why he left.

While the group questioned his musical ability after the departure, Mr McCarroll says he had a personality clash with the Gallagher brothers.

Echoes of The Beatles

The case contains a familiar echo of the Gallaghers' heroes, The Beatles.

Mr McCarroll hired Jens Hill, the lawyer who represented rock's most famous jilted band member Pete Best when he successfully claimed for back payments.

He was replaced by Ringo Starr in 1962, just as The Beatles began their recording career.

Members of 1980s group Spandau Ballet have been fighting a claim among themselves while Robbie Williams is contesting a previous ruling in favour of former manager Nigel Martin-Smith.

Oasis announced last week they plan to start recording in April for a release in the first part of 2000.