PJ Harvey set to score first UK number one with new album The Hope Six Demolition Project

Harvey's chart personal best is number three with Rid of Me in 1993

The Hope Six Demolition Project is PJ Harvey's ninth studio album (Keong Woo)

PJ Harvey is on course to score her first UK number one album with The Hope Six Demolition Project.

The English singer-songwriter’s ninth record is currently 2,500 combined sales in the lead. If she can hold off the competition until Friday’s Official Chart is revealed, she will beat her personal best of number three with 1993’s Rid of Me.

Many Harvey fans will be surprised at her lack of chart-topping success so far, especially as she is the only artist to win the Mercury Prize twice - firstly in 2001 with Stories from the City and again in 2011 with Let England Shake.

Santana’s IV, their first album with the full Seventies line-up in 45 years, is in second place and on track to be their highest-charting release since Supernatural reached number one in 1999.

Adele’s 25 is in third place ahead of Sia’s This Is Acting in fourth and Aled Jones’ One Voice in fifth.

Record Store Day has put David Bowie at number eight with his third album The Man Who Sold the World, while Like a Virgin and Other Big Hits! from Madonna is at 40.

Over on the singles chart, Drake looks set to retain the top spot with “One Dance”.