Michael Jackson's album sales up by 500% at Asda

MUSIC retailers across Derby have reported a staggering increase in Michael Jackson record sales following the star's death.

Derby outlets of HMV and Tesco have witnessed a ten-fold increase in sales, whereas Asda, in Spondon, has seen a rise of 500%.

Yesterday the HMV store, in East Street, Derby, was playing Jackson hits in tribute to the star.

A spokesman for HMV said: "All over the country stores have reported significant increases. Whenever an icon passes people's emotional response is to buy the album.

"Stores have not been instructed to play his songs. That is something they have done as their own tribute."

The singer died after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest at his home.

Jackson's legions of fans are now scrambling to get hold of his records, most in demand being the iconic Thriller album and his Greatest Hits.