The Specials have confirmed details of a new album, their first of new material in 20 years.

Entitled Encore, the record is the group's first of new material to feature vocalist Terry Hall since their 1981 single 'Ghost Town'. It also sees original members Lynval Golding and Horace Panter feature, and follows on from 1998's Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!, which was the last record of entirely new material to come from the band, and was followed by two albums of cover versions.

The CD edition of the new album will come with a special bonus disc, titled The Best of the Specials Live, and the album set for release on February 1. The band will tour in support of the record next year.