Florence and the Machine singer Florence Welch who has sustained a vocal injury and been told to rest. Picture via Bang Showbiz

Florence + the Machine have pulled out of two festival dates to give vocalist Florence Welch chance to rest her voice and avoid permanently damaging it.

The You’ve Got the Love hitmakers have been forced to the cancel their headline performance at the Benicassim Festival 2012 in Spain today, as well as one at the Optimus Alive fest in Portugal on Saturday.

Frontwoman Welch has sustained a “vocal injury” and been advised by doctors not to sing for a week.

In a post on the band’s official website, the flame-haired singer wrote: “Hello everyone, thank you so much for all your messages of support, yes its true ... it finally happened, I’ve lost my voice :(

“I’ve sustained a vocal injury and been told I cannot sing for a week.. seriously I felt something snap, it was very frightening. Unfortunately this means I will not be able to perform at Benicassim and Optimus Alive festival this weekend...I am so so sorry. I’m so sorry to all the fans, I was desperate to still perform, but was told without question not to, so as not to do permanent damage..x”

Despite her obvious disappointment at being forced to cancel the group’s two European dates, Florence promised to make it up to fans in the future.

Meanwhile, Florence is heading for her first number one single.

Spectrum (Call My Name) is on course to top the charts on Sunday according to midweek figures from the Official Charts Company.