Ivors reach out to honour legendary Motown trio.(News)

The organisers of the Ivor Novello Awards are preparing to lift the lid on a package of events to mark next year's 50th ceremony.

A committee headed by former British Academy of Songwriters & Composers chairman Guy Fletcher has been assembled to oversee the celebrations, which will include the presentation of at least one other rarely-bestowed fellowship of the Academy. At present, the exclusive club's only members are Sir Malcolm Arnold, John Barry and Sir Paul McCartney.

"It's going to be a very big deal. We're talking about a range of entertainments." says Fletcher. who expects the first details of the golden anniversary programme to be unveiled in a few week's time.

The focus on next year's landmark comes in the wake of a memorable ceremony last Thursday in which legends including Motown songwriters Holland-Dozier Holland were honoured alongside newer UK talent such as The Darkness and Amy Winehouse.

The songwriting trio behind such classics as Reach Out I'll Be There and Where Did Our Love Go received a standing ovation as they collected the special international award in what was, fin. brothers Brian and Eddie Holland, their very first trip outside the US.

Universal Music Publishings The Darkness added to their rapidly-expanding trophy cabinet by winning the songwriters of the year award. "This is the important ceremony for me," says the band's frontman Justin Hawkins. "People who want to be stars aspire to things like the Brits or the Kerrang! Awards, but this celebrates musical ability: There's a scarcity of musical awards that reward good playing and good songwriting".

Universal-signed Francis Eg White collected the award for best song musically and lyrically for his Will Young hit Leave Right Now, explaining ...