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Britons go crazy for digital downloads

There has been a sharp rise in digital downloads of music and movies in the UK over the past year, with sales topping £163 million. That trendlooks set to continue, say analysts. However downloads still have along way to go before they'll eclipse CD and DVD.

Market analyst Verdict says that digital downloads have risen by 45.5 per cent within the last year. The £163 million figure is expected to rise to £600 million in just five years time.

However even £600 million is still a drop in the ocean compared to physical media sales - they'll stand at £4 billion this year, a decline of 2.9 per cent over last year.

"Whilepiracy will continue and CD volumes will decline further, retailers generallyare now better placed to cope with new market challenges," said Verdictanalyst Nick Gladding in the UK Music and Video Retailers 2007 report.