All Saints 'reform for new album'

The group have reportedly begun work on their third album

Girl group All Saints are to begin recording their first new album in more than four years, say reports.

The act, who split up in February 2001 have signed a long-term deal with EMI, according to leading industry newspaper Music Week.

All Saints had a string of number one hits, including Never Ever and Pure Shores, following their debut in 1997.

"I just don't think anyone has taken their place," Jamie Nelson of EMI imprint Innocent told Music Week.

There was speculation that All Saints members Shaznay Lewis, Melanie Blatt and sisters Natalie and Nicole Appleton, would reform following a muted response to their respective solo careers.

I think so long as they deliver the right record you can't really go wrong Jamie Nelson, Innocent Records

"It just sort of came up in conversation with Shaznay and by chance they had all met up a week or so before, so it all just fell into place really," Mr Nelson said.

"They've always been the right side of credible, the right side of cool and I think so long as they deliver the right record you can't really go wrong."

The group are reportedly working on their third album, and are expected to release their first single before the end of the year.

All Saints have sold more than 10 million albums across the globe since the release of their first single I Know Where It's At in 1997. Their last album, Saints and Sinners, was released in 2000.