SALES of vinyl have reached a 25-year high, according to data released yesterday, and the owner of two music stores in the county says he is thrilled with the figures.

Data compiled by the British Phonographic Industry showed that in 2016 some 3.2m LPs were sold, up 53 per cent on last year.

Gary Smith, who runs Cowley Road’s Truck Store and Witney’s Rapture said he hoped the good times just kept on rolling.

He said: “We have seen a massive spike in sales of vinyl across the range really.

“We are seeing huge increases in vinyl’s like David Bowie and Pink Floyd, all the classics but also the new releases that are coming to vinyl.

“We are also selling more turntables every year. It’s great, it’s a real success story.

“It has been gradually climbing every year, and we have seen an increase every year.

“I think it’s just nice to actually own something that you can feel, and definitely there’s a difference in sound quality.”

He said that the Rolling Stones new album had been a big seller this Christmas as had Radiohead’s latest album and the Prince and David Bowie back catalogues.

The biggest seller, perhaps surprisingly, is Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon which consistently sells copies.

Mr Smith speculates it is because of more people beginning their own collection and the Pink Floyd album being a must-purchase for vinyl collectors.

Asked about the future of the trend he said that he had attended a meeting of music bodies recently and while discussing vinyl they believed it had at least another three years of popularity.

‘Long may it continue’ he added.