Scottish singing sensation, Susan Boyle, has set records for a female debut album after releasing her I Dreamed a Dream album and topping sales charts.

Boyle's album sold 701,000 copies in the first week making it the biggest first week sales of any album this year according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan.

I Dreamed a Dream has also reached number 1 in Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.

Boyle, 48, rose to fame eight months ago after first appearing on TV show Britain's Got Talent.

Australia Canada U.S.