Chamberlin leaves the Pumpkins

Smashing Pumpkins played the Reading and Leeds festivals in 2007

Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, one of the original members of US band Smashing Pumpkins, has left the group, it has been announced.

In a statement on the band's website, singer and founding member Billy Corgan said that he would "continue to write and record as Smashing Pumpkins".

Chamberlin, who joined the alternative band in 1988, played on its recent 20th anniversary reunion tour.

Corgan said the band plan to head into the studio this spring.

Chamberlin played on all the Chicago band's albums except 1998's Adore.

Following the 2000 break-up of the band, Chamberlin joined Pumpkins frontman Corgan in the short-lived Zwan, before re-forming Smashing Pumpkins in 2005.

The band released their latest album, Zeitgeist, in 2007.