Adele has released her new album and thanked fans for their support, saying the last month had been a "whirlwind".

Her much-anticipated third album, 25, went on sale yesterday, following the release of her singles, Hello and When We Were Young.

In a statement posted on social media, Adele wrote: "This feels like such a long time coming, my new album is finally out. I am so overwhelmed and grateful to be able to even put another record out, and put it out how I want.

"The last month has been a whirlwind, it's literally taken my breath away. I hope you enjoy the record as much as I enjoyed making it for you."

Referencing the lyrics to Hello, she added: "See you on the other side... love Adele x"

This comes after the revelation that the new album will not be available on music streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music.

Her much-anticipated new work goes on sale today, but fans hoping to listen to it online will be left disappointed, although it will be available to buy on iTunes.

It marks a departure from the star's previous relationship with the digital companies, as her albums 19 and 21 and new hit single Hello are all available for streaming, and comes after Taylor Swift pulled her work from Spotify.

A spokesman for Spotify said: "We love and respect Adele, as do her 24 million fans on Spotify. We hope that she will give those fans the opportunity to enjoy 25 on Spotify alongside 19 and 21 very soon."

Apple said it was "thrilled" to offer 25 for download on iTunes.

"Her soulful new single, Hello, is available to stream on Apple Music along with her entire catalogue and her revealing interview with Zane Lowe on Beats 1," the tech firm added.

The 27-year-old singer has been hailed as the artist to "save the music industry" by newspaper critics, who greeted her new record warmly.

Her Grammy and Brit Award-winning album 21 has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide since it came out in 2011.

Last year Swift took her entire back catalogue off Spotify as she released the hugely successful album 1989, while earlier this year the star forced Apple into a U-turn over its policy on paying artists.

The Shake It Off singer, 25, threatened hold back 1989 from Apple Music in protest at the technology giant's "shocking and disappointing" decision not to pay for songs streamed during a three-month trial period.

Neil Young has also removed his work from streaming services but said it was about the lack of sound quality rather than the money.