Legendary 1960s folk singer Donovan has taken a surprising new turn in his career − releasing a reggae single.

The 68-year-old songwriter, whose hits include hippy anthems Hurdy Gurdy Man and Mellow Yellow, recorded the song One English Summer in Jamaica.

He said: “I had written the song and my wife Linda and I were going to Jamaica, to celebrate my birthday.

“After we had landed, I was whisked off to the recording studio − where Linda had organised as a surprise birthday present − a recording session of One English Summer which we recorded in one take.”

It is not the first time Donovan has reinvented himself − he was briefly involved in the Madchester scene when he supported The Happy Mondays who named a track after him on one of their albums.

The singer − real name Donovan Leitch − is celebrating half a century in the music business this year with a greatest hits album and a new tour, as well as the new single.

He was aged 18 when he scored his first hit with Catch the Wind.