One Direction to launch perfume

One Direction are preparing to take on Justin Bieber by launching a rival perfume for girls.

The British-Irish group has signed a deal with bosses at Olivann Beauty to produce a fragrance aimed at young women which will launch globally next year (13).

The singers have been working on the project for six months and further details of the perfume will be announced ahead of the launch in the autumn.

A post on One Direction's official Twitter page reads, "Big news! A 1D fragrance is on the way!" and bandmember Niall Horan adds, "We've been discussing it for ages & can't wait to hear what fans think!"

The One Direction scent will put the group in direct competition with their pop pal Bieber, who has launched two female-focused fragrances called Someday and Girlfriend.