Leonard Cohen has changed the date of two upcoming UK concerts to avoid clashing with the high holy days.

The Canadian Jewish star was due to perform on second night Rosh Hashanah in Leeds, and on Yom Kippur at the O2 in London.

Fans expressed their disappointment in last week's JC, and urged the singer to reschedule.

Mr Cohen, who was ordained as a Buddhist monk but who comes from a Jewish background, was alerted to the clash and asked for the concert dates to be changed.

"When he learned that two of his UK concerts were scheduled on days of solemn religious observance, he respectfully asked to move the dates," explained a spokesman for tour operator AEG. "We hope and trust that the reasons for the changes will be understood."

The move has been welcomed by Jewish fans, not least because his other London date this summer took place last month on a Friday night.