Pixies have announced that bass player Kim Deal has left the band.

In a statement on Facebook signed by the remaining members, Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering, the band said: "We are sad to say that Kim Deal has decided to leave the Pixies. We are very proud to have worked with her on and off over the last 25 years. Despite her decision to move on, we will always consider her a member of the Pixies, and her place will always be here for her. We wish her all the best."

After joining the band in 1986, Deal played on all four of their studio albums, credited as Mrs. John Murphy, on their 1987 EP Come On Pilgrim and 1988 debut Surfer Rosa. Following the band's split in 1993, Deal returned to playing with The Breeders, with though the Pixies' 2004 reunion saw all the original members brought back together.

Deal's currently touring with The Breeders, who have been playing their 1993 album Last Splash in full.

As Pitchfork point out, Deal's break with the band will have ramifications for the forthcoming book Pixies: A Visual History.

Have a watch of Pixies performing their ace single 'Gigantic', co-written by Deal, in London in 1988 below: