In Rainbows, which was released on CD/vinyl on New Year's Eve, controversially first came out as a 'pay what you like' download in October last year - with mixed results for the band.

The album generated massive press coverage worldwide, but it was later revealed that relatively few fans paid much for the download, beyond its nominal fee.

However the band has now released the album in physical form, and according to music retailer HMV, it is selling more copies in Northern Ireland than the rest of the UK.

Richard Atkins, of HMV Donegall Arcade, said: "There's been a great deal of interest in the In Rainbows CD and on vinyl across all our stores in the UK and Ireland but the album is selling particularly well in Northern Ireland.

"It's comfortably our number one best seller right now, outselling the rest of the top five combined, including the likes of Leona Lewis and Take That."

Gennaro Castaldo of HMV said In Rainbows was on course to sell around 50,000 copies by the end of the week.

He added: "No doubt many people appreciated the opportunity to download the album for free, but this demand also underlines the enduring appeal of the CD: as true fans we love to buy and collect albums by our favourite artists in their physical form."