Abba have begun legal against a Danish far-right party that has been using one of the group's hit songs at its rallies.

The youth wing of the Danish People's Party (DF) has been playing a customised version of the song 'Mamma Mia', entitled 'Mamma Pia', after their leader Pia Kjaersgaard.

Abba's Benny Andersson said he first discovered their song was being used when asked by a left-wing pressure group if he supported the party, reports BBC News.

Along with band mate Bjorn Ulvaeus, he has threatened DJ, which is the third largest party in the Danish government, with legal action unless they stop using the song immediately.

"Firstly, you cannot just rewrite songs as you like and secondly we want them to understand that we have absolutely no interest in supporting their party," he said.

"Abba never allows its music to be used in a political context. This is something that we have pointed out to the Danish People's Party."

Musicians have a reputation for distancing their music from political parties.

In the 2008 US election, the Republican party came under fire from several artists, including the Eagles, after they used songs at rallies without permission.

Keane also objecedt to the Conservative party's use of their hit 'Everybody's Changing' during the General Election campaign earlier this year.

(by Jason Gregory)