Veteran rocker Sting has been honoured as Person of the Year in front of a celebrity crowd by the RECORDING ACADEMY's MUSICARES foundation.

The ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK singer was honoured for his human rights work and tireless campaigning for the protection of rain forests.

And the 52-year-old admitted to feeling sheepish when he stepped up to accept the award at the Los Angeles bash.

He told an audience including Mary J Blige, Hugh Hefner, SIR Bob Geldof and Elvis Costello: "I'm actually feeling an emotion I'm not very well known for - humility.

"I'm deeply honoured to be the point-person to raise funds for this event. We are here to support people who haven't had the breaks. They can't simply live day to day."

Sting last night (08FEB04) won a Grammy award for Best Pop Collaboration with Blige for WHENEVER I SAY YOUR NAME.

09/02/2004 16:56