Elton John to receive award for Aids charity work

Sir Elton John will tonight be honoured for his work for HIV charities.

The Hero Award is being presented by the UK Coalition of People Living With HIV and Aids at London's Dorchester hotel.

According to reports, Sir Elton will say: "With an expected 50% rise in new infections within the next five years, it is important to focus our attention on the lives of those people infected and affected.

"I accept the Hero Award with gratitude, but more importantly in the acknowledgement of the 30,000 HIV positive people in the UK today."

Also attending the £250-a-head gala will be Jerry Hall, Patsy Kensit, Ronan Keating, Steven Berkoff, Boy George, Gaby Roslin, Tim Jefferies and Lesley Joseph.

All proceeds will go to the UKC and The Globe Centre, Sir Elton's nominated charity.