London - US musician Bob Dylan, 67, allowed the British Co-Operative Group to use his famous 1963 protest song Blowin' In The Wind in a television advert to burnish its old-fashioned image, the singer's record company said Wednesday.

It is the first time Dylan, who has jealously guarded his intellectual property rights, allowed the commercial use of one of his songs in Britain, Columbia Records and Co-Op said.

Blowin' In The Wind is ranked at number 14 among Rolling Stone magazine's best 500 songs of all time.

Dylan's decision was influenced by the Co-Op's high ethical guidelines regarding fair trade and the environment, the statement said. Co-Op, which is owned by about 3 million consumers, also includes Britain's largest funeral parlour and farming business.

Dylan in 1996 allowed another song to be used for a charity campaign and only recently assented to have his music used in two high-profile US campaigns. (dpa)