Best British songs in 25 years?

It is the music compilation list that you might never have expected to see. Where else would rockers Queen appear alongside manufactured popstar Will Young? Or the high-pitched Bee Gees trio be listed with urban MC The Streets?

But they are among 25 artists doing battle for a new best song award at the Brits, Radio 2 announced yesterday.

The search marks the 25th Brit Awards ceremony.

The list features singles performed by British acts since the first awards in 1977. All reached a top 75 spot in the charts.

Listeners have voted for their favourite five tunes on the list and the shortlist will be announced at the Brits' nomination launch on Monday.

Voting will then be open via web, text and telephone. The winner will be named at the Brits in February.

Colin Martin, music editor of BBC Radio 2, was on the selection panel.

'British chart music is a massive part of our popular culture,' he said. ' Distilling over a quarter century of hits to a list of 25 has been one of the most difficult tasks I have ever shared in.'