One Direction have seen their new album 'Midnight Memories' become the UK's fastest selling record of the year.

The boyband released the effort on Monday (November 25) and Wednesday's (November 27) midweek update suggested that it was on course to become the year's quickest shifting album.

That record was held by Daft Punk's 'Random Access Memories', which sold 165,000 copies in its first week.

Music Week reports that at the close of play on Thursday (November 28), 'Midnight Memories' had sold 187,600 units.

It has shifted over 100,000 more copies than its nearest rival, Gary Barlow's fellow new entry 'Since I Saw You Last'.

If it passes the 200,000 milestone, the album will be the only record to have done so in the UK this year.

Its figures means that 'Midnight Memories' has given One Direction their best first week album sales result so far in their home country.

2011's 'Up All Night' shifted 138,631 copies whilst 2012's 'Take Me Home' had 155,316 first-week sales.