A SUPERMARKET in East Lancashire which sold the new Texas album 'The Hush' two days before its official release date has blamed the breach of contract on an oversight.

Harry Blackwell, who runs Castle Records, in Bridge Street, Darwen, just yards always from the new Sainsbury's store, was shocked to find the CD on the shelves.

He said: "The record companies distribute to retailers with the provision that nothing will be sold until the release date.

"In the case of the Texas album that was, yet my son had no problem buying a copy on Saturday afternoon. It is a very unethical practice and one that could put me out of business. I don't think a slap on the wrist is enough.

"There is no excuse for this sort of thing and it is not the first time a supermarket has been caught doing it." A spokeswoman for Sainsbury's said a human error was to blame. "Unfortunately, the Texas CD went out by mistake on Saturday.

"Only one copy was sold. Staff have now been re-briefed on the guidelines to ensure this sort of thing doesn't happen again. We very much regret what has happened."

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