SINGER-songwriter Clifford T Ward has been ranked ahead of The Beatles in a Queen's Golden Jubilee poll of the nation's favourite songs.

The Stourport 70s pop star, who died in December, came fourth in the BBC Radio 2 poll with Home Thoughts From Abroad.

The song failed to even chart when released as a single in 1976.

However, Terry Wogan, who has long been a fan and often played his songs on the Breakfast Show, may have helped his position in the poll.

When it was launched earlier this year, he named the track as his favourite of the Queen's reign.

He said: "He was a prolific British songwriter and much underrated. I'd choose this song as a tribute to him."

Queen topped the poll with the epic Bohemian Rhapsody.

Clifford stormed the charts with Gaye in 1973. The record sold a million worldwide.

However, the shy singer-songwriter shunned the pop lifestyle and refused to tour and perform live gigs.

His songs were to be covered by the likes of Art Garfunkel and Cliff Richard but further chart success eluded him.

He was busy recording from his home studio when he was struck down with multiple sclerosis in 1984.

Its debilitating effect meant he could no longer perform or record. He died of pneumonia, aged 57, in December.