ROLLING STONES - VETERANS TOP ROCK RICH LIST

THE ROLLING STONES have topped a list of Britain's biggest earning musicians - beating off competition from fellow veterans SIR PAUL McCARTNEY and SIR ELTON JOHN.

The BROWN SUGAR band made a staggering $99.5 million (GBP55.3 million) in 2003.

In second place came ex-BEATLE McCartney, who earned $72 million (GBP40 million) last year (03), while SIR ELTON JOHN netted $61.2 million (GBP34 million) to come third, according to British magazine HEAT.

But the three veterans are closely followed by two contemporary acts, ROBBIE WILLIAMS and COLDPLAY.

FEEL singer Williams came fourth in the list with earnings of $54 million (GBP30 million), while rockers Coldplay took fifth place with $42.3 million (GBP23.5 million).

The only woman in the top 20 is DIDO who netted $28.4 million (GBP15.8 million).

The top 10 British earners are as follows:

2. SIR PAUL McCARTNEY - $72 million (GBP40 million)

3. SIR ELTON JOHN - $61.2 million (GBP34 million)

4. ROBBIE WILLIAMS - $54 million (GBP30 million)

5. COLDPLAY - $42.3 million (GBP23.5 million)

6. STING - $45.3 million (GBP25.14 million)

7. PHIL COLLINS - $45.2 (GBP25.12 million)

8. FLEETWOOD MAC - $42.3 million (GBP23.5 million)

9. IRON MAIDEN - $32.2 million (GBP17.9 million)

10. DIDO - $28.4 million (GBP15.8 million) (GS/WNE/IG)

10. DIDO - $28.4 million (GBP15.8 million)