The Digital Radio Development Bureau has reported strong sales of DAB digital radio sets over the Christmas period.

The organisation, which is funded and supported by the BBC and the UK's major commercial radio groups, said that more than 550,000 DAB sets were sold in December, up 22% on December 2006.

According to GfK, cumulative sales of DAB sets were 6.45m at the end of the year, up from 4.4m in 2006.

"Sales of DAB sets over Christmas are very encouraging," said Paul Brown, the bureau's acting chief executive. "As the radio industry goes through a period of re-evaluation of its digital strategy, it is important that we not lose sight of the consumer. Both GfK and Rajar figures tell us that DAB is quickly becoming a valued medium among listeners."

The DRDB has forecast sales of 2.6m for 2008, which it says would bring the percentage of UK homes with a DAB radio to 30%.