The Pet Shop Boys will be honoured at the Brit Awards in February, when the duo will pick up a gong for exceptional musical achievement.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, who will perform live during the awards ceremony, will collect the Brits' Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.

The dance duo have sold 50 million records since they first signed to record label Parlaphone in 1985, have had four number one singles, 22 top 10 hits and 39 top 30 singles.

In 1986, their classic hit West End Girls topped the charts across the world, followed in 1987 with What Have I Done To Deserve This?, a collaboration with Dusty Springfield. They have also worked as producers with artists who include Robbie Williams, David Bowie and Madonna.

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.”

The Pet Shop Boys won their first Brit Award in 1987 for West End Girls, picking up Best British Group in 1988. In 1994 they performed their song Go West during the awards show, accompanied by a 200-piece Welsh male choir.

The awards will take place at London’s Earls Court on Wednesday February 18 and will be broadcast live on ITV1.

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