Band Aid 30 single set for record-breaking number one

Bob Geldof's charity project is leading the singles race while One Direction album Four outsells the rest of the Top 5 albums combined

Midge Ure and Sir Bob Geldof outside the Notting Hill recording studios for Band Aid 30 (Getty Images)

Band Aid 30’s new remake of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is on track for a record-breaking number one.

The Bob Geldof-led charity single, featuring a host of big name pop acts, has sold more than 252,000 copies since its release on Monday morning, the Official Charts Company has confirmed.

Band Aid 30: This time it's feel the world

The song was named the fastest-selling of the year so far after less than 24 hours on sale, with proceeds going to help fight Ebola in West Africa.

Three previous Band Aid tracks – the 1984 original, 1989 reboot and Band Aid 20’s 2004 effort – all peaked at number one.

One Direction, Rita Ora, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, Bastille and Sinead O’Connor were among the artists to record this year’s version in London last weekend before it debuted on The X Factor results show.

“Real Love” by Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne is at number two on the midweek chart, with Olly Murs ft. Travie McCoy at number three with “Wrapped Up”.

Last week’s number one, Gareth Malone’s All Star Choir’s Children in Need single “Wake Me Up”, has slid three places to number four.

Meanwhile, on the Official Albums Chart, One direction’s fourth studio album Four is currently outselling the rest of the top five combined after shifting 94,000 copies so far this week.

Ed Sheeran is at number two with long-running favourite X while last week’s number one, Pink Floyd’s The Endless River, is at number three. Better Midler is on course for her first top ten album in 24 years with It’s The Girls!.

This week’s final chart results will be announced on Sunday.