Paul McCartney to miss top US award ceremony

Paul McCartney has been forced to pull out of a prestigious American award ceremony attended by US President George Bush because of family commitments.

He was due to receive a lifetime achievement award for his career in the performing arts at the Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington in December.

But he was forced to turn down the invitation after it clashed with the wedding of one of his nieces, Variety reported.

Sir Paul expressed his "deepest regret and profound apologies" to the centre after becoming the first person to be honoured to withdraw from the event in its 25-year history.

Kennedy Centre chairman James Johnson said he understood the star's decision to put "inescapable personal obligation ahead of other commitments".

Sir Paul, who was due to be honoured alongside actress Elizabeth Taylor, will now receive his award in 2003.