Submitted by: kirkland on Thursday July 15th, 2004 at 06:08 PM EST

A rough cut of a new album by U2 has gone missing from a photo shoot - prompting fears it may be posted on the internet months before its release.

Police in Nice, in the south of France, said the band had made statements about a possible theft after the shoot at a recording studio in the city.

About 20 people are being questioned about the material's disappearance at the Victorine studios on Tuesday.

The album, which has not yet been named, is due for release in November.

A police spokesman said: "We have to be careful. Was it lost or was it stolen? An inquiry is under way.

"We have numerous theories - from the fan who wants the rough cut for his collection to the web specialist who wants to be the first to put it out."

The rough cut does not have any great financial value but could be published on the internet in advance of the official release date, he said.

» Read full story @ BBC News