Blur top charts with first album in more than 10 years

Blur have proven their Universal appeal by storming straight to the top of the charts with their first album in more than a decade.

The Magic Whip was announced out of the blue in February and is inspired by the band's travels in Asia.

It is the sixth number one album for the four-piece, including frontman Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree, and their first since Think Tank in 2003.

Midweek sales figures from the Official Charts Company revealed the new 12-track album was outselling the rest of the top five put together.

Blur, who scored a string of hits throughout the 1990s including Parklife, The Universal and Coffee And TV, are headlining the Isle of Wight festival this summer.

The four-piece will also return to play Hyde Park in June - six years after their reunion performances.