UK Music Dominates 2008

With doom and depression dominating every other aspect of British life, perhaps we should raise a toast to our noble recording artists who dominated sales figures in 2008.

The latest industry figures show that UK music is without doubt punching above its weight. After years in noble seclusion, four of the year's five best selling albums were of British origin.

Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends' was the best selling album of 2008, with industry body Media Traffic recording figures from 34 different national charts. Chris Martin's troops were swiftly followed by Amy Winehouse and the expanded edition of her best selling collection 'Back To Black'.

The top five was completed by Welsh wonder Duffy and X Factor alumni Leona Lewis. Astonishing, the only non-British act in the top five was AC/DC with 'Black Ice'. However three of the Australian hard rockers were born in Britain and their lead singer is from Gateshead.

The music industry received a further boost when it was revealed that two million more albums were sold in the run up to Christmas this year than compared with the same period in 2007.