Apple's iTunes Music Store has marked its 100 millionth legal download since its launch in the US in May last year.

The music site, which features more than 700,000 songs available for download, says it is now the biggest legal music site in the world.

It said US user Kevin Britten of Hays, Kansas, had downloaded the 100 millionth song, a version of dance act Zero 7's Somersault.

The service started its European operations last month.

The site makes songs available for download for 79p per song. Since its launch it has gained more than 70% of the market share for legal downloads, it said.

10,000 song voucher

The site is so far available to computer users in the US, the UK, France and Germany.

The success of the store, one of the first to offer legal downloads, has come amidst a global crackdown on illegal song-swapping over the internet.

The downloaded songs can be played on up to five computers after they have been paid for, and can also be played on an unlimited number of iPod portable music players.

The iTunes Music Store reported 800,000 songs downloaded in its first week of operations in Europe.

Mr Britten won a computer, an iPod music player, and a voucher for 10,000 downloads.

The launch of iTunes in Europe, overseen by Apple chief Steve Jobs, ran in to some controversy because it had been unable to broker a deal with the UK's Association of Independent Music over details of its proposed deal.

It meant independent bands such as chart-toppers Franz Ferdinand, the White Stripes, Basement Jaxx and the Pixies were not originally included on the iTunes playlist.

From BBC News