An Essex music fan has sold his unique collection of every number one single recorded in Britain.

The amazing archive includes a thousand tunes - from Al Martino to the latest Band Aid hit.

Ray Spiller's remarkable collection, which covers 78s, 45s and CDs, starts with Here In My Heart, which topped the UK's first singles chart in November 1954, up to the current number one by Band Aid.

Mr Spiller, 52, who lives at St Lawrence Bay near Maldon, sold his collection for £5,000 to a London record company.

He said: "It has been a real labour of love but sadly the days of the single are numbered.

"So many people now buy their music over the internet or use things like i-Pods so I don't think that the single will be around in its present form much longer."

Published Monday, December 13, 2004

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