OASIS-MANIA is expected to reach new heights in Burnley and Pendle today.

Record shops will be busier than ever before, thanks to the release of the band's new album this morning.

One shop is opening at 8am for customers who will snap up thousands of copies of the CD over the next few days.

Fans have waited more than a year for 'Be Here Now', and world-wide sales should beat the 14 million notched up by the last one, 'What's The Story Morning Glory'.

Every record shop in the area will get 200 albums - with more coming soon to keep up with the rush.

"We would like to have opened at midnight, but we couldn't," said Burnley Our Price manager Linda Hird. "But we are opening at eight.

"I am expecting a very busy day.

"It should be one of the best-selling albums ever."

Staff at the chain's Nelson store were also bracing themselves for the rush. "We think it will sell 20 times more copies than most other albums," said sales assistant Emma Coward.

ZAre you Oasis' biggest fan? Call 452139 and tell us.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.