The Rolling Stones have been forced to cancel a date on their Australian tour after frontman Mick Jagger came down with a throat infection.

The gig in question is their show at Hanging Rock, near Melbourne.

"The Rolling Stones are incredibly disappointed to cancel the Hanging Rock gig and to disappoint their fans but were left with no other option."

They added that the singer is under strict doctor's orders to rest his vocal chords for the next few days to recuperate for the rest of the tour.

Announcing the news to fans on Twitter, the band told a former ticket-holder they were "so sorry to disappoint you all" but confirmed it was not "logistically possible" to reschedule the date.

All fans who bought tickets through Ticketmaster will receive a refund.