Sir Paul McCartney has said he can't wait to rock Israel ahead of his concert in the country next month.

McCartney will perform in the capital Tel Aviv on September 25th – 43 years after being banned from the country along with the rest of the Beatles.

In a statement, McCartney said: "I've heard so many great things about Tel Aviv and Israel, but hearing is one thing and experiencing it for yourself is another.

"We are planning to have a great time and a great evening."

The Beatles were banned by Israel in 1965 because the country's government feared that their music would corrupt young citizens.

But the ban was lifted this year by Israel's ambassador to the UK, who called it a “misunderstanding”.

Next month's show is the latest in a line of one off concerts McCartney has played in 2008.

(by Jason Gregory)