The London wing of the five concerts taking place on July 2 as part of the Live 8 event has been branded "hideously white".

A campaign group called Black Information Link is highlighting the absence of black artists on the bill, pointing out that Mariah Carey is the only act from an ethnic minority.

They say that organisers behind the Bob Geldof-fronted initiative "handpicked a virtually all-white line-up."

However, at the concerts taking place elsewhere in the world, there is a broader ethnic mix in evidence.

Stevie Wonder, 50 Cent and Jay-Z will play in Philadelphia, Youssou N'Dour and Craig David in Paris and Lauryn Hill in Berlin.

A spokesperson for Live 8 claimed that Geldof approached a number of black artists to take part in the London event but none were available.

But a representative for UK chart-topper Jamelia, thought to have been overlooked because she is six months pregnant, said: "I'm sure she would like to play some part in the event."

Speaking to the BBC, Justin Onyeka, Entertainment Editor for New Nation, expressed disappointment that high profile UK Urban acts like Beverley Knight, Dizzee Rascal and Ms Dynamite were not playing.

"It was the same problem 20 years ago when major black artists were backing singers to other acts," he said. "It's time they learnt from previous experience."

The London line-up features artists including Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Madonna, U2, Robbie Williams, Dido and Elton John.