NEWPORT rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain are set to smash into the top ten of the UK album charts this weekend with their debut album, Greatest Hits.

The record, which came out on Monday, is currently at number six in the mid-week album charts with predicted sales this week of 30,000 copies.

The battle for the number one slot is between Paul Weller and Embrace with Natasha Bedingfield and Maroon 5 at three and four and Ian Brown just a few hundreds sales ahead of GLC.

"It is a great start for a new band to be so close to the likes of Ian Brown," said a spokesman for HMV.

"And they are ahead of bands like Keane, The Thrills, Nelly and Darren Hayes in the top ten as we go into the weekend."

Band member Eggsy said: "We think the record is brilliant. It is better than Boyzone but not quite as good as Tina Turner. That is what we are aiming for when we do our next record."

Their last single, Guns Don't Kill People, Rappers Do, spent three weeks in the top ten after going straight into the charts at number three.

And the band have been forced to add more dates to their forthcoming UK tour due to high demand for tickets.

Last week, a special 'homecoming' gig in Newport was announced for December 15. The gig will be at the Newport City Live Arena on Wednesday, December 15.

Details are available on the band's website www.youknowsit.co.uk