Scissor Sisters' album sold almost 1.6 million copies in the UK

Scissor Sisters' self-titled debut CD sold 1,594,259 copies in 2004 - 582 more than Keane's Hopes and Fears.

Scissor Sisters, whose hits included Comfortably Numb, Laura and Mary, have mixed a hip club style with pop tunes.

Robbie Williams' Greatest Hits was the year's third biggest-seller, followed by Maroon 5, Katie Melua and Anastacia.

US R&B; star Usher's Confessions was sixth, with Norah Jones, Snow Patrol and pop-opera group Il Divo also in the top 10.

UK'S TOP ALBUMS OF 2004 1. Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters 2. Keane - Hopes and Fears 3. Greatest Hits - Robbie Williams 4. Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane 5. Katie Melua - Call Off the Search Source: Official UK Charts Company

Half of the top 10 was made up of British acts - with the other half coming from the US.

The Scissor Sisters' surge was so unexpected BBC Radio 1 named Keane as the top-seller in a rundown on New Year's Eve.

The top two artists, virtually unknown at the start of 2004, were both signed by the UK arm of music giant Universal.

Universal Music UK chairman Lucian Grainge said: "It's a fantastic result, but what is most special is that the two biggest-selling albums of the year are both from brand new UK-signed artists."