Pogues' Fairytale Voted Best Christmas Song Ever

The Pogues' festive duet FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK with the late Kirsty Maccoll has been crowned Britain's favourite Christmas song of all time.

The ballad, which went to number two in the UK singles chart in 1987, scooped 24 per cent of all votes cast in a poll of more than 10,000 people conducted by music channel VH1.

The original 1984 Band Aid charity single DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS? came second, three places higher than this year's (04) version, which claimed fifth place.

Wham!'s love song LAST CHRISTMAS came third followed by 70s rockers Slade's Christmas classic MERRY XMAS EVERYBODY.

The Top Five Christmas Songs are:

5: DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS? - BAND AID 20 (2004)