Indie labels hail sales success

Craig David: Signed to independent label Telstar

More than a quarter of new albums by UK artists that went platinum in the UK in 2002 were released on independent labels.

Craig David, Liberty X and Ash were among the five acts signed to indie labels who had platinum albums, accounting for 28% of such awards.

A further 13 artists - such as Robbie Williams, Gareth Gates and Coldplay - achieved the same feat for major labels.

A platinum disc is awarded for an album that sells more than 300,000 copies.

Greatest hits were not counted and nor were albums of cover versions.

'Real force'

The Association of Independent Music (Aim), a trade group, had said 39% of platinum albums were on indie labels.

But they did not count albums that achieved multiple platinum status in 2002 as well as those that went single platinum.

Aim chief executive Alison Wenham said: "These figures prove the UK independent sector is the real force behind the survival and success of the British popular music industry."