Tony Bennett to receive lifetime achievement award

Tony Bennett will receive a lifetime achievement accolade at this year's Silver Clef awards in recognition of his 60 years as a recording artist.

The 83-year-old crooner said it was "fantastic" to be recognised at the event, held in aid of music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins.

Rod Stewart and Sir Cliff Richard are among the previous recipients of the lifetime award, as are U2 and Oasis.

"I feel I've joined a very special club," Bennett said of his honour.

Sharon Osbourne will host this year's awards, to be held on 2 July at London's Hilton hotel.

Rock band Muse, boy band JLS and pop trio Scouting for Girls will also receive prizes at the event, as will tenor Russell Watson and rapper Dizzee Rascal.

Bennett, whom Frank Sinatra once called "the best singer in the business", released a new album, The Ultimate American Songbook, earlier this year.

The veteran performer will receive his award after playing two shows at London's Royal Albert Hall on 30 June and 1 July.

"It is with great joy that I look forward to being back in the UK," he said in a statement.

"I am a great believer that music can be a powerful healing force and I applaud all the fantastic work that Nordoff Robbins has implemented over the past 50 years."