Boyzone cannot use Stephen Gately's vocals in their new material, according to band member Shane Lynch.

The Irish group have been working on new songs as they mark their 20th anniversary in music.

Singer Stephen Gately died in 2009 of an unsuspected heart condition when the band were making a new album, with some of his vocals already cut to tape.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Shane Lynch said that the boyband are not allowed to use his vocals due to a legal wrangle with the late singer's estate. He said:

"We'd love to use his vocals but it's not so simple. Apparently, even though we were in a band with him for 17 years, we can't use his voice. But there you go."

The singer continued: "When Stephen died we were in the middle of making an album. The last thing we could have done was continue after losing Stephen. But he is very much alive on those songs."