Enduring chart act a-ha are to split following a farewell tour next year.

The Norwegian trio, who were pin-ups for many years, will split after marking a quarter of a century since their debut release Hunting High And Low.

They will play their final shows in Oslo in December next year, rounding off a string of goodbye dates.

The band, who have also released a string of solo albums, achieved more than 35 million global album sales, with 15 Top 10 UK singles.

Announcing their split, the band’s Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar-Savoy said bowing out would give them a chance to pursue “other meaningful aspects of life”.

In a statement they said: “We’ve literally lived the ultimate boy’s adventure tale, through a longer, more rewarding career than anyone could hope for.

“Doing this now will give us a chance to get more involved in other meaningful aspects of life, be it humanitarian work, politics, or whatever else – and of course through new constellations in the field of art and music.

“We are retiring as a band, not as individuals. Change is always difficult and it is easy to get set in one’s ways. Now it is time to move on.”

Details of tour dates will be announced nearer the time.