The pop group ABBA is staging its first concerts in 40 years in east London.

The Swedish band announced its return live to a global audience from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park today (Thursday, September 2).

The quartet - Agnetha Faltskog, Anna-Frid Lyngstad, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson - have recorded a new album - Voyage - which is due for release on November 5.

Two tracks - I Still Have Faith In You and Don't Shut Me Down - were premiered during the launch at the ArcelorMittal Orbit.

Newham Recorder: A computer generated image of the ABBA Arena which is being built on the fringes of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.A computer generated image of the ABBA Arena which is being built on the fringes of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. (Image: ABBA)

A series of concerts to promote the album are to take place at a custom-built venue on the fringes of the park with tickets on general sale from Tuesday, September 7.

ABBA Voyage will open on May 27 next year at the ABBA Arena, a state-of-the-art 3,000 capacity arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Pre-registration for tickets opened at 6pm tonight (September 2) on abbavoyage.com

Newham Recorder: Digital avatars - or Abbatars - have been created for the gigs depicting the band members during their heyday.Digital avatars - or Abbatars - have been created for the gigs depicting the band members during their heyday. (Image: Industrial Light & Magic)

But while new songs and greatest hits will be performed, Abba's stars will appear as digitally created avatars - or "Abbatars" - for the gigs.

Bjorn said: "We have been longing for this for such a long time. We have really infused ourselves in these Abbatars."

The concert is produced by Svana Gisla who has worked with David Bowie, Beyoncé and Jay Z and Ludvig Andersson.

Benny, on why east London was chosen, explained: "London is the best city to be in. Theatres, musicals, concerts - it's all here.

"There is a big audience from all over the world travelling here for that reason. It was a no-brainer really."

The 90 minute concerts will feature 22 songs, including hits Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia.

The digital versions of ABBA were created using motion-capture and performance techniques with the four band members and an 850-strong team from Industrial Light & Magic, a company founded by George Lucas.

On the release of the band's first work in 40 years, Benny said: "It was so joyful to be in the studio again, all four of us."

The group - which is behind hits including Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia - also revealed it would be releasing a Christmas song.