Ed Sheeran has surprised fans with the release of a new song written for the soundtrack of the new Hobbit film.

The singer announced last night (November 4) that he has recorded the tune 'I See Fire' for upcoming movie The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.

The track is being rolled out on iTunes across the world today (November 5) as fans lap up the singer's first piece of new music in over two years.

Sheeran revealed on Twitter that he played all but one of the instruments on the track, including violin. He said:

"I [am] very happy to announce I have written and recorded the end credits song for the new Hobbit movie 'The Desolation of Smaug'. I got the chance to produce and play all the instruments on it apart from the cello. Managed to learn violin for a day, hope you all dig it."

He added: "Big up Peter Jackson and his team for giving me the opportunity. It's also the first solo song I've released in over 2 years, it's not on the new album though, that fun starts next year."

The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug meanwhile is the second part of a trilogy of films directed by Peter Jackson based on J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic 1937 novel The Hobbit.

It is due for a December 11 release and will star the likes of Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch.