Los Angeles, Aug 27 (DPA) Music legend Bob Dylan is to release his first ever Christmas album. The collection of songs will be called 'Christmas in the Heart' and will hit stores Oct 13 with all royalties from the album going to the charity organisation Feeding America, it was announced Wednesday.

Featuring a string of Christmas staples, the album will be Dylan's second of the year, following the critically acclaimed 'Together Through Life' which reached Number 1 on the US charts.

'It's a tragedy that more than 35 million people in this country alone - 12 million of those children - often go to bed hungry and wake up each morning unsure of where their next meal is coming from,' said Dylan in a statement. 'I join the good people of Feeding America in the hope that our efforts can bring some food security to people in need during this holiday season.'