Image copyright Rex/Andre Csillag Image caption Robert Young (right) is pictured with Primal Scream in 2003, three years before he left the group

Robert "Throb" Young, the guitarist who helped Primal Scream to rock stardom in the 1990s, has died at the age of 49.

Young founded the band with school friend and singer Bobby Gillespie in Glasgow in 1984.

They hit the heights with psych-pop album Screamadelica in 1991, which included songs like Movin' on Up and Loaded and won the first Mercury Prize.

Young left the group in 2006 to deal with what Gillespie described as "personal problems".

His former bandmates paid tribute to Young, calling him a "beautiful and deeply soulful man".

'Irreplaceable talent'

A statement from Gillespie, guitarist Andrew Innes and other members of the group said: "We have lost our comrade and brother Robert Young.

"He was an irreplaceable talent, much admired amongst his peers.

"He was a true rock and roller," it added. "He had Heart & Soul tattooed on his arm and I'm sure on his heart too.

"He once said to me, 'When we go on stage it's a war between us and the audience'. He never let go of that attitude."

The statement concluded: "Our love and thoughts are with his sons, Brandon and Miles, and their mother Jane, his wife Rachel, and his immediate family."

Former bandmate Mani posted a message in the group's forum on Wednesday saying: "Robert young, AKA the throb, passed away this weekend in hove. Truly devastating news."

Former Oasis singer Liam Gallagher later wrote on Twitter: "RIP Robert Young AKA 'Throb'. Live Forever LG x"

Author Irvine Welsh wrote: "RIP Robert Young. One of the best, the most beautiful, who WAS rock n roll. Big love bro, give them it big time over the other side. #Throb"

The Charlatans singer Tim Burgess wrote: "So sad to hear of the death of Rob 'Throb' Young… A real good un."

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said he was found dead in a flat in Hove on Tuesday and his death is not being treated as suspicious.