Coldplay have scared off the competition at the top of the U.K. album charts to take their new release Ghost Stories to number one.

The group's sixth album has become the year's (14) fastest seller so far, selling 168,000 copies in its first week on release.

Michael Jackson's posthumous album Xscape drops a spot to two, while reunited Beautiful South bandmates Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott debut What Have We Become at three and Paloma Faith's A Perfect Contradiction moves up to four.

The 20th anniversary edition of Oasis' debut album Definitely Maybe charts at five.

On the U.K. singles chart, Sam Smith picks up his third number one with Stay With Me, while DJ Mr Probz lands at two with Waves and Fuse Odg claims the third spot with Dangerous Love.