One Direction's new single Live While We're Young tops US chart

One Direction's new song Live While We're Young has hit the US number 1 spot to become the fastest-selling single by a UK act.

The sales tally of 341,000 copies in a week is the biggest ever for an overseas act in the US.

The band, who formed on ITV1's X Factor, failed to get the top spot in the UK chart, making it to number three.

Rihanna took the number one spot with her single Diamonds.

One Direction were delighted with their US success, with band member Niall Horan saying:

The single has also proved popular online with the video becoming the most watched clip within 24 hours on site Vevo.

Earlier this year the quintet became the first UK group to enter the US Billboard chart with their debut album, Up All Night.