Tom Jones honoured for contribution to music

Sir Tom Jones (Getty)

Sir Tom Jones is to be honoured for his outstanding contribution to music at a respected charity event, it was announced today.

He follows in the footsteps of Sir Elton John and Andrew Lloyd Webber in receiving the Music Industry Trusts' Award, which will be presented on November 1.

The singer, who turns 70 on Monday, has notched up dozens of hits since making his chart debut in 1964 with It's Not Unusual.

More than 1,000 guests will attend the charity event - in aid of Nordoff Robbins and the BRIT Trust - at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

Other past recipients have included Beatles producer Sir George Martin, James Bond composer John Barry and Ahmet Ertegun, co-founder of Atlantic Records.

David Munns, chairman of the award committee, said: "Tom Jones is one of those rare beings, a timeless entertainer, a great guy who clearly loves what he does and whose talent appeals to successive generations."

Sir Tom said: "2010 is shaping up to be a very memorable year for me, I'm delighted to be honoured with the Music Industry Trusts' Award and to join the roll-call of some great past honourees, such as George and Ahmet.