Stairway To Heaven 'UK's favourite rock song'

It is supposedly banned in some guitar shops and has become the stuff of cliche, but Led Zeppelin track Stairway To Heaven has been named the UK's favourite rock song.

The song, first released in 1971, was one of three Led Zep tracks which made the top 10 in a poll by digital station Absolute Classic Rock.

The Who were named runners-up with Won't Get Fooled Again, with their track Baba O'Reilly also notching up sixth position.

Stairway To Heaven started life when the band's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were staying at a remote cottage in Wales, Bron-Yr-Aur, and began to write musical passages.

It became a mainstay of the band's live shows, often featuring as a finale, although famously it was never released as a single during the band's lifetime. It was not until 2007 that it charted on download, but its ubiquity among rock fans is renowned, and it became a staple for any budding guitarist.

The movie Wayne's World features a scene in a guitar shop where customers are banned from playing the tune.

Artists to have covered it have included Rolf Harris and Dolly Parton.

Led Zep also made the Absolute Classic Rock listeners' top 10 with Whole Lotta Love at number four and Rock 'n' Roll at seven.

Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody took third place.

1. Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven

2. The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again

3. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

4. Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta love

5. Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water

6. The Who - Baba O' Reilly

7. Led Zeppelin - Rock 'n' Roll

8. Free - All Right Now

9. The Beatles - Revolution

10. The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter