Kylie to receive Music Industry Trust award

Kylie Minogue has been announced as the first woman to be honoured with this year's Music Industry Trusts' Award, in recognition of her 20-year career as a pop star. This is the 16th year of these awards, whose committee called the star "one of the great entertainers of all time" and "an icon of pop and style".

"Kylie has a unique place in this country's heart and an appeal that seems to grow ever wide. Kylie deserves this award for her success over 20 years, staying at the top in one of the toughest professions and inspiring millions with her grace, dignity and humanity," said chairman of the awards committee, Dave Munns.

Kylie has responded by saying she is "truly thrilled" at the "incredible honour" to be selected. She will receive the award, at a ceremony in London on 29 October 2007. "As well as being a fantastic evening, this award ceremony also raises much needed funds for The Brit Trust and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, and it is a pleasure for me to be involved," said Kylie.

Kylie Minogue, 39, is currently working on her 10th studio album and had her first chart topping hit when her debut single, I Should Be Lucky topped the charts in 1987.

The Music Industry Trusts' award has raised £2.7m for the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy charity and the Brit Trust, which includes the Brit School for the performing arts.

The annual award recognises a wide range of figures connected to the music industry, including film composers, music retailers and record company executives. Sir Elton John and Peter Gabriel are among previous recipients of the award.