WESTLIFE - WESTLIFE JOIN THE JETSET

Irish boyband WESTLIFE have bought their own private jet for $7.6 million (GBP4 million).

The FLYING WITHOUT WINGS hitmakers decided to join forces to purchase the craft after becoming inconvenienced by having to charter planes for their international appointments.

And the impressive jet - a Gulfstream III - will feature plush seats, top-of-the-line DVD, PLAYSTATION and plasma screens. It will also sport a small music studio in the back and be adorned with the Westlife logo.

A source close to the band says, "It sounds like a lavish gesture but it makes sense. Even when they're not working, they tend to be flying somewhere every week.

"They're always back and forth between Dublin and London. But when things are busy or they're on tour, they are flying all over the world.

"Now they'll have their own plane ready to go wherever and whenever they need it."

Bandmates SHANE FILAN, KIAN EGAN, NICKY BYRNE, MARK FEEHILY and BRYAN McFADDEN will all put in $1.2 million (GBP800,000) each for the aircraft.