LONDON - Michael Jackson's greatest hits album Number Ones became Britain's top-selling album this week, after his death on Thursday spurred interest in his back catalogue, lifting five albums into the top 20.

Britain's Official Charts Company said Number Ones shot up to the top spot from 121st last week, knocking electronica-infused rock group Kasabian's West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum into second place.

Jackson's albums Thriller, King of Pop, Off the Wall and The Essential also re-entered the top 20.

The singer fared slightly less well in the singles charts, where Man in the Mirror was his highest entry at number 11, though Thriller, Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Beat It and Earth Song also entered the top 40.

In total Jackson's music accounted for more than 300,000 album and single sales in the space of just two days.

United kingdom