Vinyl sales increased again in 2017

LPs and Ed Sheeran have had a joint hand in slowing the decline of physical music sales

Vinyl has enjoyed another surge in sales from 2016 (Rex)

Some critics were sceptical as to whether it would last through 2017, but it seems music fans are continuing to purchase more vinyl than ever.

The physical format accounted for one in ever 10 physical music sale over the past four months, according to the annual BPI report: a 26.8 per cent increase year on year, which pushes vinyl sales to a level not seen since the days of Nirvana's Nevermind in the early Nineties.

This, along with Ed Sheeran's popularity, helped to slow the decline of physical sales in the UK music industry. The singer-songwriter's latest album Divide was the best-selling album on vinyl, ahead of Liam Gallagher, whose debut solo release enjoyed the highest week-one sales of 2017.

Amy Winehouse's classic record Back to Black is still a favourite, claiming a top-5 spot for the third year running. Rag'n'Bone Man, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Oasis and David Bowie also featured in the vinyl LP top 10.

Matt Ingham of independent label Cherry Red Records, which boasts a rich catalogue on vinyl and CD, said: "Genuine music discovery is coming from the fresh resurgence in vinyl, the robust CD market and via the burgeoning streaming platforms.

"The combination of new and old technology means the industry can continue to rise to the challenge of providing the public with music to treasure forever."

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