Singer Mutya leaves Britain's Sugababes

The Sugababes, Heidi Range (L), Mutya Buena (C) and Keisha Buchanan at the MTV Europe Music Awards last month. Picture / Reuters

LONDON - Mutya Buena, one of the singers with successful British band the Sugababes, has left the group, the all-girl trio has announced.

In a statement posted on the band's website, Buena said she had made the decision for personal reasons and would remain friends with the two remaining band members Heidi Range and Keisha Buchanan.

"It was very difficult but definitely not a snap decision," Buena said.

"I've enjoyed an unbelievable career so far and I'm so proud of what we've achieved with Sugababes over the years.

"I think there comes a time when everyone wants to re-evaluate their life and what they want out of it. For me that time has now come."

The band, which has had four number one singles in Britain, replaced one of their original members in 2001 when Range took the place of Siobhan Donaghy.

The statement said another new girl member would be found to take Buena's place.

"I think for our fans, the one thing Sugababes has come to stand for above all else is our consistent and unique style of music," Buchanan said.

"Obviously, it goes without saying that we will all miss Mutya, but we also knew there was still a place for bringing in somebody new who could help us carry on taking the Sugababes' brand of music forward."

- REUTERS