Ananova:

The Brit Awards are to gain a new category for best song as part of their 25th ceremony celebrations.

The search will be hosted by Davina McCall, who will ask listeners of BBC Radio 2 to vote for their top five hits from a list of 25 songs.

All of the singles must have been performed by a British act since 1977.

The shortlist was chosen by a panel made up of members of the music industry and media. The winner will be announced at the 9 February awards.

McCall will reveal the 25 songs and then ask listeners to vote for their favourite five on BBC Radio 2 on 2 and 3 January.

The favourite five will be announced at the Brit nominations on 10 January.

Peter Jamieson, the chairman of the British Phonographic Industry, said the result was "bound to be controversial".

And Colin Martin, editor of BBC Radio 2 Music, who sat on the panel, added: "Distilling over a quarter century of hits to a list of 25 to be voted on by Radio 2 listeners has been one of the most difficult tasks I have ever shared in."

The awards also added another category recently - best British live act is to replace the dance music category.