Recorded music revenues in the UK edged higher in 2009, ending a five-year losing streak and reflecting strong growth in digital sales, says industry body the BPI.

Total trade rose 1.4 per cent to £928.8m, according to the organisation’s annual industry income survey.

Digital income, including online downloads and mobile services, jumped 47.8 per cent to £189m, accounting for around a fifth of the total.

The online sector climbed 51.7 per cent, to £154m.

Trade income from physical formats fell 6.1 per cent to £787.8m, continuing the downward trend.

Despite a schedule that included releases by Susan Boyle, Lady Gaga, Michael Buble and Robbie Williams, the market for physical albums slumped 6.7 per cent to £699.2m.

BPI chief Geoff Taylor said: “The pace of growth of new digital services is encouraging, but the size of the market continues to be constrained by competition from illegal downloads.”

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