REM have cancelled a second date on their UK arena tour today as bassist Mike Mills recovered from "severe flu-like symptoms".

The US band were forced to pull out of their gig at the Hallam FM Arena in Sheffield last night after Mills fell ill. Slim hopes that he would be fit to play at the SECC in Glasgow tonight have now been dashed.

A statement posted on the group's official website today confirmed the musician was still recovering from his illness.

Last night a spokeswoman for the group said the bassist "could hardly stand up, let alone play".

REM also said they are not yet in a position to confirm if a scheduled concert at the NEC in Birmingham will go ahead tomorrow.

The statement read: "Mike has been receiving medical care in Sheffield and is resting.

"As to how this affects the shows scheduled for the remainder of the week and beyond, the band is taking it day-to-day based on the advice of Mike's doctors.

"Obviously we all want Mike to get better, and clearly we all want to play the shows. And rest assured we will do so as soon as possible."

Last night frontman Michael Stipe and guitarist Peter Buck went on stage to play four acoustic songs for the 12,000-strong Sheffield audience.

The pair performed The One I Love, Leaving New York, I've Been High and Losing My Religion.

The Sheffield concert has been rescheduled for June 15 and everyone who had a ticket for the show will be able to attend.

A new date has yet to be set for the Glasgow gig.

REM are also scheduled to play Odyssey in Belfast on Friday and The Point in Dublin on Saturday and Sunday.