Lucy Atherton reports on the claims made by Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Sir Tim Rice

In a letter to The Times newspaper, they accuse music labels of allowing business decisions and marketing strategies, rather than quality of product, to shape the Top Forty and accuse the charts of becoming "little more than a guide to record company marketing departments".

Their anger was sparked by a record company which cut the price of one of its own singles - written by Lord Lloyd-Webber - to make it ineligible for the charts.

Former number one single No Matter What by Boyzone was reduced to £1.78 - a penny below the minimum price for inclusion in the charts - despite protests from the song's creators.

The pair claim the idea was to make the song disappear from the chart allowing the group's current single, I Love The Way You Love Me, a clear run at the charts. However, it still failed to make it to number one, unlike its predecessor.

Lord Lloyd-Webber and Mr Rice, whose hit shows include Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, wrote: "The company, clearly believing that neither they nor Boyzone can maintain success without such devices, have made a highly popular record almost invisible in the hope that frustrated record buyers will unthinkingly hand over their cash for the next.

Boyzone: Failed to hit number one spot with new single

"This and many other decisions have made the UK top 40 little more than a guide to the most successful record company marketing departments, most of whom regard singles as nothing more than trailers for albums.

"Albums may generate more income but in the long term the downgrading of the individual hit song will be disastrous for our music industry.

"The Beatles opened up the world for British music with wonderful songs and no-one complained if nine or 10 of their tunes were selling simultaneously."

Lord Lloyd-Webber and Mr Rice said that the charts used to provide an "accurate, informative guide to the most popular recordings of the day".

If a song was in vogue for six months or a week, its standing with the public was recorded faithfully and honestly, they said.

"Over the past few years this tradition has been destroyed by the majority of this country's record companies," their letter said.

They concluded: "Most contemporary record companies treat songwriters, artists and the public with near contempt, never daring to sign a new talent on the strength of one great tune."