Jennifer Lopez has toured extensively in Europe

The top 10 albums of 2001 sold 20 million less copies than the 10 best-selling albums of 2000, according to sales trackers Soundscan.

Internet downloading from Napster-like sites and CD-copying - or burning - are still seen as major threats to sales.

However, Britain and France enjoyed a particularly good 2001, with UK sales up by 5%.

'Tribute'

Europe's platinum albums, unveiled at Midem, the industry's annual get-together on the French Riviera, will be formally recognized at the IFPI Platinum Europe Awards in Brussels in the summer.

IFPI chairman Jay Berman, said: "Last year was another outstanding year for the Platinum Europe Award, with more album titles selling a million-plus copies than in any other year of the award's history.

"Platinum Europe is a tribute to the enormous success of recording artists in the region."

One of the big British artists was Dido. Her album No Angel broke through the four million mark, making her the country's biggest female album seller.

Other British and Irish acts who enjoyed a good year were The Corrs, Robbie Williams and Coldplay.

Celine Dion is Europe's top seller in the last six years

The IFPI said because of the downturn in sales in the US and Japan, Europe became a more attractive market for overseas acts to conquer last year.

US acts Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, and R&B stars including Destiny's Child and Jennifer Lopez toured extensively in Europe and were rewarded with strong selling albums in 2001.

French-Canadian singer Celine Dion, who is now semi-retired, was Europe's top million-selling artist in the last six years with eight albums going platinum, Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli was next behind with six.