The Verve went straight to the top of the British album charts on Sunday with their comeback album 'Forth', 11 years after they first hit the heights.

The British rock band, fronted by singer Richard Ashcroft, reformed last year and cemented their return by entering the charts at the top spot.

The band, from Wigan in northwest England, formed in 1989 and had their first number one hit in 1997, but split two years later due to internal spats.

They reformed for a November 2007 tour and headlined the last day of this year's Glastonbury Festival in southwest England, the world's biggest greenfield music jamboree.

It is the group's second number one album, after 'Urban Hymns' became the fifth fastest-selling British album on its release in 1997, The Official Charts Company said.

'Forth' knocked Irish three-piece band The Script's eponymous album off the number one spot.

Iowa metal band Slipknot entered the chart at number two with 'All Hope Is Gone', while the late American singer Eva Cassidy's 'Somewhere', containing previously unreleased material, debuted at number four.

'King of Pop', a compilation marking Michael Jackson's 50th birthday last week, was a new entry at number five.

In the singles chart, US singer Katy Perry stayed at the top for the fourth consecutive week with her hit 'I Kissed A Girl'.

Swedish DJ Eric Prydz was the highest new entry at number two with 'Pjanoo', while Barbadian singer Rihanna moved up one spot to number three with 'Disturbia'.

AFP