Appleton's Fantasy took the second spot, but could not overhaul the Merseyside trio's cover of Blondie's The Tide Is High, originally recorded by the Paragons.

Fellow pop trio Sugababes stayed at number three with Round Round, while veteran rocker Paul Weller made a strong debut at number seven with It's Written In The Stars.

Paul Weller has a new album

Former number one act South London rap crew Blazin' Squad dropped from number two to number four.

N-Trance provided the other new entry in the top 10 with Forever at number six.

Despite the free publicity supplied by the birth of the Beckhams' second son, Romeo's Romeo Dunn dropped four place to number 15.

Alternative rock

Fashionable The White Stripes made a moderate debut at number 25 with Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground.

Alternative rockers Weezer also made an appearance at number 29.

In the album chart, Coldplay stayed at the top with A Rush of Blood to the Head.

It is six years since the death of Eva Cassidy but her new posthumous album Imagine, is now at number two, having risen one place.

The Sugababes slipped one spot to number three, while youthful psychedelia-influenced The Music entered at number four.