Dylan to release Christmas album

Christmas in the Heart will be Dylan's 47th studio album

Folk legend Bob Dylan will release his first album of Christmas songs - with royalties going to charity, his record label has confirmed.

Tracks on Christmas in the Heart, due out on 13 October, will include Winter Wonderland and Little Drummer Boy.

Columbia Records said US royalties from the sale of the album would go to the Feeding America charity.

The fund, which provides "food security to people in need", hopes to feed 1.4 million people with proceeds.

Dylan said: "It's a tragedy that more than 35 million people in this country alone - 12 million of those, children - often go to bed hungry and wake up each morning unsure of where their next meal is coming from.

"I join the good people of Feeding America in the hope that our efforts can bring some food security to people in need during this holiday season."

International royalties from sales will go to organisations in other countries who provide meals for vulnerable people, Columbia said.

'Honoured'

It has since been announced that proceeds with go to the UK charity Crisis and the World Food Programme.

Initial proceeds are expected to pay for 15,000 meals for homeless people in the UK over Christmas, as well as 500,000 meals for schoolchildren in the developing world.

"That the problem of hunger is ultimately solvable means we must each do what we can to help feed those who are suffering and support efforts to find long-term solutions," said Dylan.

"I'm honoured to partner with the World Food Programme and Crisis in their fight against hunger and homelessness."

Dylan's 47th studio album will also include Here Comes Santa Claus and Must Be Santa.