U2 frontman Bono has been awarded the Nobel Man of Peace prize for his humanitarian efforts across Africa.

The singer was presented with the award in Paris yesterday (December 12th) in the company of five past Nobel Prize winners.

Bono was chosen because he “has given a lot and will continue to give a great deal” in an effort to tackle debt, poverty and disease across the continent, organisers said.

Bono told the audience in Paris: "This is a very big award for me, because let's be honest this is as close as I am going to get - as close as a rock star is ever going to get to the Nobel Peace Prize."

Turning to the past Nobel Prize winners present, who included Northern Ireland’s John Hulme, Bono added: "I am an over-awarded, over-rewarded rock star. You are the people who do the real work.

"So I am very, very pleased to be in such esteemed company."

Last year the peace award was given to the actors George Clooney and Don Cheadle after they spoke out against the violence in Darfur.

(by Jason Gregory)