Kittens claw up number one

Chart success, but Kerry Katona [centre] is leaving

Girl group Atomic Kitten have soared to the top of the charts, beating rock greats U2 and rappers Limp Bizkit.

The success comes hot on the heels of the decision by Kerry Katona, 20, to leave the band because she is expecting a baby with her fiancé, Westlife's Bryan McFadden.

Demand for the band's track, Whole Again, caught their record label and retailers by surprise, and extra copies had to be rushed out to shops.

U2 were kept in second place with Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, the second release from their album All That You Can't Leave Behind.

Kitten's replacement

The band will probably not feel too disappointed as the album has sold more than five million copies since its September release and has become their fastest selling album in the US.

R&B singer Mya entered the chart at number three with Case of the Ex, with Limp Bizkit, last week's number one, at four with Rollin.

Atomic Kitten's Katona is being replaced by Jenny Frost, of another all-female act, Precious.

She is already working with the band's other members, Natasha Hamilton and Liz McLarnon, on a new single.

Katona, meanwhile, is hoping for success in a TV career.