Ash guitarist Russell Lissack was bitten by a lion during the band's recent visit to South Africa.

Lissack, who is also a member of Bloc Party, was bitten when he went to an animal sanctuary with singer Tim Wheeler.

The guitarist was taken to a nearby hospital and given a tetanus booster.

A spokesperson for the group told Spinner the hospital where Lissack received treatment was later seal off after two men died from an unidentified virus.

Ash were in South Africa to play two gigs in Johannesburg and Cape Town with the Parlotones.

Meanwhile, Ash release part two of their retrospective A-Z singles series, entitled 'A-Z Vol 2', on October 11.

(by Jason Gregory)