Fans with tickets will be refunded or given alternative tickets if requested.

Britain was due to play a game in the build up to their appearance at this summer's London Paralympics, and organisers had hoped to line up one of the world's top teams as opponents.

Volleyball England's Sitting Volleyball development manager, Daniel Griffin, said: "We are disappointed that we will not be part of this year's BT Paralympic World Cup.

"We understand that this is an important period in both individual athletes and team preparations for London 2012 and that this has made it difficult to source international competition.

"Instead of competing, the GB players will continue their own training and preparations for the Games and we look forward to the next opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd, which will be at London 2012."

Sitting volleyball has enjoyed Paralympic status since 1980 and follows the rules same as volleyball, except that players cannot move off the floor, as the name implies.

The sport had its BT Paralympic World Cup debut at last year's event.

The World Cup is the largest annual international multisport competition in disability sport.

Manchester is staging the event for the eighth successive year, with boccia, seven-a-side football, athletics and wheelchair basketball all taking place at the competition.

The action will be broadcast on Channel 4.

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