Sir Elton, Allen & Sting honored at songwriting awards

SIR ELTON JOHN, LILY ALLEN and STING have been honored for their songwriting skills at a glitzy ceremony in London.

Sting was handed an award for scoring more than 10 million plays of his The Police hit Every Breath You Take on U.S. radio, while Allen's track The Fear was also recognized as a favorite on the airwaves in the U.S.

Rocket Man Sir Elton and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin were also honored at the event, held by the Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI), for their hits Your Song and Crocodile Rock, which have received a massive 14 million plays on the radio in America.

Meanwhile, Don Black, famous for tracks including Born Free and Diamonds Are Forever, was handed the BMI Icon title at Tuesday's (05Oct10) bash.