Former Motorhead guitarist Michael 'Würzel' Burston dies aged 61

Former Motorhead guitarist Michael Burston - better known as Würzel - has died at the age of 61.

Tim Butcher, Lemmy's long-standing bass tech, announced news of Burston's passing in a post on his Facebook profile yesterday (July 9).

According to Rockedition.com, it's believed that he died of ventricular fibrillation, caused by heart disease.

The band payed tribute to Würzel during their Sonisphere set, saying: "We'd like to dedicate this set and our lives to Würzel.

Würzel joined Motorhead in 1984 and went on to play on albums such as 'No Remorse' and Orgasmatron' before leaving in 1995.

He went on to make guest live appearances with the band, playing at Download Festival in 2008 and at selected tour dates in 2009 . Scroll down and click below to see fan footage of him playing 'Ace Of Spades' with Motorhead at London's Hammersmith Apollo.

Burston also released solo albums 'Bess' in 1987 and 1998's 'Chill Out Or Die', an LP of ambient music.

Latterly, he had been working with a new band, Leader Of Down.