Taylor Swift teases new album with mysterious countdown clock on social media

Taylor Swift has posted a mysterious countdown clock on social media, hinting that fans could be hearing new music within a fortnight.

The Grammy award-winner also posted the date Friday, 26 April on Instagram.

The "Bad Blood" singer started the countdown at 13 days, a number she has previously claimed to be lucky for her.

Swift's last album, Reputation, was released almost 18 months ago and explored the pitfalls of fame through a prism of pop and electronic sounds.

This is not the first time the 29-year-old has teased new material this year. In February she posted a series of images appearing to show her in a recording studio, causing excitement among fans on social media.

Earlier this month, she also made a rare intervention into US politics, donating $113,000 (£86,000) to the LGBT advocacy group the Tennessee Equality Project.

She said she had been "inspired" by its work fighting for LGBT rights, adding her gift was a response to a series of bills called the Tennessee Natural Marriage Act, which would ban gay marriage in the state.

Additional reporting by agencies.