Sir Paul McCartney is to be awarded with a Kennedy Center Honour, it’s been announced.

The former Beatle will collect the award during a ceremony at The White House in Washington in December.

The annual award recognises arts figures who contribute to US culture, reports BBC News.

Kennedy Center chairman David M Rubenstein said Sir Paul was "one of the most influential and successful songwriters and musicians of all time”.

The singer said: "President Kennedy was such an icon for us in the 60s and his presidency was so inspiring for so many people that it is a great pleasure for this kid from Liverpool to receive this honour."

Chat show host Oprah Winfrey and choreographer Bill T Jones are also to be presented with the award. Previous recipients include Bob Dylan.

The Kennedy Center awards will mark the second time Sir Paul has been honoured at The White House this year.

In June, he was presented with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by President Barack Obama.

(by Jason Gregory)