The Charlatans latest album, You Cross My Path, has been downloaded 30,000 times since its release on Monday.

The album is available as a free download only at present, through the XFM Radio site, but the 30,000 copies would put it at number 2 in the charts, if the album had been sold conventionally.

Charlatan’s frontman Tim Burgess is more than pleased with the response, saying that when he and manager Alan Mcgee had the original idea, some 18 months ago they never dreamt that it would be such a success.

The album will be available for free download on The Charlatans official website from 17th March, and goes on sale in conventional format, through music shops on May 12th.