Blur's status as one of the biggest and most influential UK bands of the last 25 years is to be recognised by the Brits, with the band receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Music award next year.
The honour, which was dropped from 2011's ceremony, will be brought back for the 2012 event, held on February 21 next year, once again at the O2 Arena.
Brits chairman David Joseph told Music Week: "Outstanding Contribution is such an important award we didn't want it to be taken for granted as something which had to happen every year. I didn't know last year how long the award would be away for, but it was never going to be forever. With Blur we have a band I've personally felt have deserved the award for many years - they are the perfect act to bring this award back for.
"Blur are as popular today as they have always been. They've always felt like the new guard, constantly pushing the boundaries, but incredibly it is 20 years since the release of Leisure, their first album. I've long felt they would be worthy winners - their contribution to British music is immense."
Voting for the 2012 awards by the Brits voting academy began this week and will close next Wednesday (December 14).
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