Freeman wins award

Actor Morgan Freeman has been named as one of the recipients at this year's Kennedy Centre Awards.

The Oscar-winning actor - famous for his role in The Shawshank Redemption - will receive the decoration at a White House reception held by President George Bush and first lady Laura Bush.

Stephen Schwarzman, chairman of the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, said: "With their extraordinary genius and tenacity, the 2008 honourees have redefined the way we see, hear and feel the performing arts."

The Dark Knight star will be honoured alongside rocker Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry of The Who and Barbra Streisand.

Country musician George Jones is also to be honoured by the awards which celebrates individuals' contribution to US culture.

The Kennedy Centre recognised Diana Ross, Martin Scorsese, Steve Martin, Brian Wilson and Leon Fleisher last year.

Morgan Freeman is currently recovering from a car crash which occurred in Mississippi. He won the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for his efforts in Million Dollar Baby at the 2004 Oscars.

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