An order of Benedictine nuns has won a major record deal with the same label that handles Lady Gaga and U2.

The Nuns of the Abbaye de Notre-Dame de l’Annonciation are based near Avignon in France and have little contact with the outside world, being entirely self-sufficient.

They were signed by Decca Records, part of the Universal Music group, following a worldwide search that took in more than 70 convents across Europe, the US and France, according to The Telegraph.

The Reverend Mother Abbess said: ''We never sought this, it came looking for us.

''At first we were worried it would affect our cloistered life, so we asked St Joseph in prayer. Our prayers were answered, and we thought that this album would be a good thing if it touches people's lives and helps them find peace.''

The nuns’ strict separation from the outside world means even Decca Records managing director Dickon Stainer could not enter their convent when it came to signing the contract.

''I passed the contract through the grille, they signed it and passed it back,'' he said.

''Although the nuns do not leave the Convent, the whole world will now hear the true beauty of their singing.''