Pink Floyd achieve first number one in 19 years with The Endless River

The album has become the third fastest-selling record of the year

The Endless River by Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd have achieved their first number one album in 19 years with The Endless River.

The album, which is based on unreleased material, was written, recorded and produced during sessions for 1994's The Division Bell.

It is the group's first release since the death of keyboardist and founding member Richard Wright, who appears on the record posthumously.

Over 139,000 copies were sold week, making it the third fastest-selling artist album of the year after Coldplay's Ghost Stories and Ed Sheeran's X.

A spokesperson for the band told OfficialCharts.com: “Pink Floyd is both thrilled and surprised at the level of international interest in this their final album. They want to thank the fans for their support and hope that in some small way, The Endless River has reminded them of the old fashioned joy of listening to an album in its entirety.”

The Foo Fighters are at number two in the album chart with Sonic Highways, ahead of Ed Sheeran's X at number three and Sam Smith's In The Lonely Hour at number four. Queen complete the top five with Queen Forever.

Gareth Malone's All Star Choir has topped the singles chart ahead of Ed Sheeran with “Thinking Out Loud” at number two, One Direction's “Steal My Girl” at number three, Cheryl's single “I Don't Care” at number four and Meghan Trainor's “All About That Bass” in fifth place.

With additional reporting from the Press Association.