A-Ha go their own ways after 25 years

(Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Enduring chart act A-Ha are to split following a farewell tour next year, it was announced today.

The Norwegian trio, who were pin-ups for many years, will split after marking a quarter of a century since their debut release Hunting High And Low.

They will play their final shows in Oslo in December next year, rounding off a string of goodbye dates.

The band, who have also released a string of solo albums, achieved more than 35 million global album sales, with 15 Top 10 UK singles.

Announcing their split today, the band's Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar-Savoy said bowing out would give them a chance to pursue "other meaningful aspects of life".

In a statement they said: "We've literally lived the ultimate boy's adventure tale, through a longer, more rewarding career than anyone could hope for.

"Doing this now will give us a chance to get more involved in other meaningful aspects of life, be it humanitarian work, politics, or whatever else - and of course through new constellations in the field of art and music.

"We are retiring as a band, not as individuals. Change is always difficult and it is easy to get set in one's ways. Now it is time to move on."

The band have released nine studio albums, their most recent, Foot Of The Mountain, making the UK top five.

They also had the distinction of recording a James Bond theme, The Living Daylights.

Coldplay have often talked about how the band were an inspiration.

A-Ha's debut single Take On Me reached number two in the UK in 1985 - accompanied by its groundreaking animated video - and the band followed it up with The Sun Always Shines On TV, which went to number one.

Details of tour dates will be announced nearer the time.