(Tuesday September 20, 2005 09:59 AM)

Status Quo have been named the most successful band in UK chart history, ahead of Queen and The Rolling Stones.

The veteran rockers have had more hits that any other group on Earth, according to a new poll carried out by Guinness World Records.

The Quo are understood to have scored 61 chart hits since their first - "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" in 1961 - and their latest - 2004's "You'll Come Around".

The group released their 33rd album on Monday, entitled "The Party Ain't Over Yet" and appeared on UK TV at the weekend, to be inaugurated into ITV's Avenue Of The Stars.

Speaking about the award, core members Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi commented: "We are delighted and honoured to receive this impressive accolade.

"Forty years have flown by and we intend to keep rocking all over the world for many years to come."

Elsewhere in the list, Queen were second with 52 hits, ahead of The Stones, UB40, U2 and Depeche Mode.

The full Top Ten is as follows:

01. Status Quo (61)
02. Queen (52)
03. Rolling Stones (51)
04. UB40 (51)
05. U2 (40)
06. Depeche Mode (40)
07. Bee Gees (38)
08. Pet Shop Boys (38)
09. REM (38)
10. Manic Street Preachers (37)