Edge has spoken of his astonishment that a CD containing some songs from the band's new album has gone missing after a photo session.

Speaking to U2.Com, Edge said, 'A large slice of two years work lifted via a piece of round plastic. It doesn't seem credible but that's what's just happened to us...and it was my CD.'

The CD went missing during a photo-shoot in the south of France. The band recently completed much of the recording of the highly anticipated new album in Dublin and have been involved in post-production work in France.

It will be the first new studio album from U2 since All That You Can't Leave Behind nearly four years ago.

French police have already launched a major investigation.

'The recording of this album has been going so well.' added Paul McGuinness of Principle Management. 'The band is so excited about its release. It would be a shame if unfinished work fell into the wrong hands.'

'This matter is of great concern to us.' said Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group UK. 'As the missing CD is our property, we're very keen find it as soon as possible and the French Police are being extremely helpful in this regard.'

More news as we get it.