Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen insists that the band are flattered that people are comparing a new One Direction song to their hit 'Pour Some Sugar On Me'.

Accusations of plagiarism have been levelled against the One Direction camp after it emerged the chorus to their track 'Midnight Memories' sounds very similar to Def Leppard.

However, sticksman Rick Allen told TMZ that legal action won't be forthcoming because the section is a common chord sequence.

He added that the veteran group feel it is a "compliment" that One Direction are seemingly noting their influence. Allen said:

"I see the similarity, but those three chords have been used for decades. It's not new. And if anything, we felt as though it was a huge compliment. It's nice that their fans can see where they may have been influenced."

He added: "There's no point in taking any legal action. If we were to take action against them, I'm sure there would be a hundred other bands who would take action against us."

'Pour Some Sugar On Me' featured on Leppard's 1987 album 'Hysteria' and it reached No.2 in the US.