Bruce Dickinson has hailed fan power after Iron Maiden’s 1982 album The Number of the Beast came top in a vote over the best British records of the past 60 years.

The classic metal record scored higher than the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Queen.

Music retailer HMV ran the poll to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee and Maiden’s loyal followers came out in droves, securing more than nine percent of the entire vote. Around 55,000 people made their choice from 60 albums online.

Frontman Dickinson describes the result as “very special.”

He says: “We’re astonished and delighted. Some of the most influential and classic albums from the last 60 years were in the running, so it’s a testament to our incredibly loyal and ever-supportive fans.”

An HMV spokesman says: “The power of social media means there are one or two surprises.”

HMV’s best British albums of the past 60 years

01. Iron Maiden: The Number of the Beast (9.2%)
02. Depeche Mode: Violator (6.3%)
03. The Beatles: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (5.7%)
04. The Beatles: Abbey Road (5.6%)
05. Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon (5.2%)
06. The Beatles: Revolver (4.0%)
07. Queen: A Night at the Opera (3.9%)
08. Oasis: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (3.9%)
09. Adele: 21 (3.1%)
10. The Beatles: White Album (2.6%)