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Rolls-Royce has been named the country’s most iconic trade mark by the British public, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) revealed on Wednesday.

Founded in Manchester in the early 20th century, the British luxury car manufacturer has become “a world wide metaphor for the best of the best”, according to one respondent. Another described Rolls-Royce simply as “the mark of quality”.

Perhaps surprisingly, Radio Caroline, the pioneering radio station that began broadcasting from the North Sea in 1964, comes in at second place.

It outranked Twinings and Cadbury, which are in third and fourth place respectively – while the BBC only just cracked the top ten.

Though the radio station may be lesser-known among younger people, some respondents said that they listened to the very first broadcast and still tune in today. “I passed my O-Levels listening to the station,” one recalled.

This year marks 150 years since the UK’s first trade mark – brewery Bass & Co’s red triangle label – was registered on New Year’s Day in 1876. Today, more than 2.5 million trade marks are protected and around 200,000 new applications are made each year.

To mark the occasion, the IPO asked the British public to name their favourite iconic trade marks.

The top ten also includes Burberry, Transport for London (TfL) and Calpol.

Adam Williams, the IPO’s chief executive, said: “Trade marks are the foundation of brand trust.

“For 150 years, they’ve helped British businesses – from corner shops and market stalls to app stores and global online retailers – build lasting relationships with consumers and stand behind the quality of their products.

“This anniversary marks not just a legal milestone, but the enduring role that brands play in connecting businesses with the public.

“We’re proud to be custodians of a system that has supported British enterprise and innovation for generations, and we’re ready for the next 150 years.”

Julian Jenkins, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ director of sales and brand, said: “We’re delighted that the British public have chosen Rolls-Royce as their favourite trade mark of all time.

“Our name has been synonymous with excellence for well over 100 years: the Silver Ghost was officially dubbed ‘the best car in the world’ in 1913, and we proudly retain that crown with the motor cars we hand-build at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood today.

“For us as a team, it’s highly gratifying that our world-class engineering, craftsmanship and creativity resonate far beyond those who actually own and drive our motor cars.”