Sir Elton John and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin honoured with prestigious award

Sir Elton John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin have been honoured with a prestigious award for their contribution to music.

The pair, who famously write separately with Taupin crafting the words before Sir Elton composes music for them, have penned hits from Your Song and Rocket Man to Tiny Dancer.

They will be presented with the Gershwin Prize by the Library of Congress which described them as "one of the great songwriting duos of all time".

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said: "Elton John and Bernie Taupin have written some of the most memorable songs of our lives.

"Their careers stand out for the quality and broad appeal of their music and their influence on their fellow artists."

The pair will pick up the award - named after Jazz Age songwriters George and Ira Gershwin - at an all-star tribute concert in Washington DC on March 20.

"I've been writing songs with Bernie for 56 years, and we never thought that that one day this might be bestowed upon us," Sir Elton said.

"It's an incredible honour for two British guys to be recognised like this. I'm so honoured."

Taupin added: "To be in a house along with the great American songwriters, to even be in the same avenue is humbling, and I am absolutely thrilled to accept."Previous recipients include Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Smokey Robinson and Joni Mitchell.

It comes after Sir Elton recently became the 19th performer to earn the coveted EGOT status, a winner of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

The British superstar won his first Emmy for Elton Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium, which bagged the best variety special live prize at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

It is added to his five Grammy wins, two Academy Award wins and his Tony award for best original score for musical Aida.