Pet Shop Boys to take top gong at 09 Brits

The Pet Shop Boys are to be honoured with the top prize at next year's Brit Awards.

The dance duo - comprising Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe - are to receive the Outstanding Contribution To Music Award at the 2009 awards ceremony, set to take place February 18 in London.

Chairman of the Brits committee Ged Doherty said: "Since their first Brit Award over 20 years ago, Neil and Chris have produced a fantastic body of work with songs that truly were the soundtrack to a whole generation's lives.

"The Pet Shop Boys have since become one of the most influential groups of the modern era and are deserving recipients of the award."

Previous winners include U2, Paul McCartney, Oasis, Paul Weller, Tom Jones, Sting, David Bowie, The Beatles and The Who.