Staying at home proved a wise decision by Noel

Police and British Consulate officials were called in by security guards, but there was no further trouble.

Oasis, minus Noel Gallagher - who has refused to tour outside the British Isles again - had been playing for half an hour on the main stage when they made their exit.

A statement by Sony Music on behalf of the band said: "Several bottles, cans and coins were thrown on stage, hitting several band members.

Debris

"An announcement was made to the audience advising them that the band wanted to return, but only if nothing further was thrown at the stage.

"The band returned to the stage for two more songs when both Liam Gallagher and drummer Alan White were hit by flying debris."

But a counter-statement by the organisers insisted Liam had brought the trouble on himself.

It said: "The festival's organisers would like to point out that the arrogant and provocative attitude of singer Liam Gallagher had undoubtedly influenced the audience's attitude.

"He insulted members of the audience on several occasions. Objects were thrown at the stage after these insults.

"As far as the Paleo Festival organisers are concerned, Oasis's decision to cut short their concert was totally irrational and the result of a paranoid reaction by the group, and not based on a calm analysis of the situation.

"By cutting short their concert in this way, Oasis not only ruined what was to be have been a much awaited musical performance for thousands of members of the audience, but also totally disregarded the public safety risk involved in depriving such a huge crowd of the band they had come to applaud."

Showing his bottle - Robbie Williams challenged Liam to a fight at the Brits

Inquiry

It added: "An internal inquiry will be held to establish exactly what happened on the evening of 26 July.

"The organisers of Paleo Festival strongly condemn the behaviour of the group Oasis in cutting short their concert in this way, and would like to apologise to all those in the audience who left disappointed."

Festival organiser Daniel Rossellat said he would never again work with Oasis.

An onlooker told Reuters news agency some of the audience were chanting Robbie Williams' name during the gig.

He and Liam had a well-publicised fall-out earlier this year, culminating in the former Take That star challenging his rival to a fight.

Liam has been recently been seen out with Williams' former girlfriend, All Saints singer Nicole Appleton and the pair are widely reported to be an item, follwing his split from wife Patsy Kensit.

Oasis, who were reportedly paid $100,000 (�66,000) for their performance at Paleo, are due to play in Edinburgh this weekend.