Pet Shop Boys star Neil Tennant has criticised this summer's Live Earth concerts.

The 'It's A Sin' singer insisted that rock stars who lecture their fans about important world issues are liable to appear "arrogant".

He said: "The Princess Diana concert is fair enough, but I feel more uneasy about the Al Gore thing (Live Earth). I've always been against the idea of rock stars lecturing people as if they know something the rest of us don't - it looks arrogant.

"It's not as if they have a private source of information. To state the obvious as if you are the only person that knows it is intellectually weak.

"Like Bono - he uses his celebrity, but in doing so he increases his celebrity. I'm never even totally convinced that the rest of U2 feel comfortable with that."

Live Earth gigs will take place on seven continents on July 7 to highlight the dangers of climate change. The London concert, which will be held at Wembley Stadium, will feature performances from Madonna, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Razorlight.