Reclusive nuns get record deal

AN order of Benedictine nuns which is cut off from the outside world has signed a major record deal with the company behind Lady GaGa, it was announced.

The enclosed order from a remote region of southern France won a worldwide search which took in more than 70 convents from communities in Europe, the US and Africa.

The new chart hopefuls communicate with outsiders through a grille to avoid intrusion into their daily lives. And it means they will have to photograph their own album cover, as well as their TV ad.

They have signed a deal with Decca Records – part of Universal Music, which counts Lady GaGa, U2 and Amy Winehouse among its acts.

The Nuns of the Abbaye de Notre-Dame de l’Annonciation are based near Avignon and won a search to find the finest female singers of Gregorian Chant.