English rock band Queen have beaten The Beatles to be named the “Greatest British band of all time” in a contest conducted by BBC Radio 2.

It was a close call though with only 400 votes coming between Queen and The Beatles getting the top honour.

More than 20,000 listeners voted for their favourites, with the finalists also including The Rolling Stones, Oasis and Take That.

The groups were judged on song-writing, lyrics, live performances, originality and showmanship.

The poll result was decided in a special three-hour live broadcast yesterday (New Years Day), with celebrity guests debating who should win.

Queen, fronted by the iconic Freddie Mercury, were one of the highest selling groups of all time with 18 number 1 albums and 18 number one singles released throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s – including Bohemian Rhapsody in 1975.

Mercury died from an Aids-related illness in 1991, but the band have continued with former Free singer Paul Rodgers taking on the role of singer.

Queen guitarist Brian May confirmed late last year that a new studio album with Rodgers is soon to come. They are due to record early this year.