Spice Girls make pop history

The Spice Girls' album is out on 6 November

Pop sensations the Spice Girls have made chart history by becoming the first female group to have nine number one singles.

Their double A side "Holler Holler/Let love lead the way" has gone straight to the top of the charts.

Only Madonna, Cliff Richard, Elvis and The Beatles have had more number one singles.

We are absolutely thrilled at being number one

Spice Girls

Celebrating the success of their first release for two years, the girls praised their fans for their support.

"Posh Spice" Victoria Beckham told BBC Radio 1 the ninth number one meant a lot to the group.

"We are so happy because we have put in a lot of hard work," she said.

"The fans have been brilliant and we really appreciate how loyal they've been to us."

Holler Holler is their first single together since Goodbye in December 1998 when Mel C, Mel B, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham went out in a blaze of collective glory.

Victoria was to celebrate with her footballer husband David Beckham at a party with the Manchester United football team.

Holler Holler: Beat back Martine McCutcheon's single

A spokeswoman for the group said Mel C was on her solo tour in Germany, Mel B was appearing at a memorial concert for Bernie Grant the Labour MP who died this year, and Emma was at home.

The two-year break, while the girls developed their solo careers, looks to have done the Spice Girls no harm at all.

The record shifted more then 31,000 copies on Monday, its first day on sale and went on to beat Martine McCutcheon's single I'm Over You to the top spot.

The single is the first release from the Spice Girls' new album Forever, which is out on 6 November.