A CHRISTIAN music chart has been launched in the UK for the first time.

The Official Christian and Gospel Albums Chart was launched on Monday by the Official Charts Company (OCC). It will be published every Monday, and will be broadcast by the Christian radio stations UCB and Premier Radio.

The managing director of the Christian record label Integrity Music, Jonathan Brown, said: "Christian music has always been a part of society in bringing hope and encouragement. With the development of this new chart, it will bring significant profile to this growing genre." www.officialcharts.com