Marr on new Pet Shop Boys album

The Pet Shop Boys have sold 50 million records since 1985

Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr will appear on the new Pet Shop Boys album Yes, it has been revealed.

The musician plays on several tracks of the new release, which is being released on 23 March.

The duo's Neil Tennant called the album - their first since Fundamental was released in 2006 - "a fantastic, wide-ranging pop record".

The Pet Shop Boys will receive the Brit for outstanding contribution to music at the awards gala on 18 February.

'Post-lifestyle anthem'

The pair are also set to play at the ceremony in London, which they have said will be "a very special performance".

Johnny Marr and Neil Tennant worked together in Electronic

The album release will be preceded on 16 March by new single Love, which they have called "a post-lifestyle anthem which sounds like nothing we've done before".

Marr, who is currently a member of The Cribs, has worked with Tennant previously as part of Electronic.

The Pet Shop Boys have also collaborated on three tracks with Xenomania, the production team behind pop acts including Girls Aloud.

Tennant, 54, and 49-year-old Chris Lowe have enjoyed four number one singles and 22 top 10 hits during their career.

The Pet Shop Boys' 1986 debut single West End Girls topped the charts and won the Brit for best British single.

They added a second trophy in 1988 when they were named best British group.