Emeli Sande and Conor Maynard to get Silver Clef awards

Emeli Sande is to receive the Silver Clef Innovation award

Brits Critics' Choice winner Emeli Sande is to be recognised for "innovation in music" at this year's Silver Clef awards luncheon.

The Scottish singer-songwriter said she was "thrilled" and was "looking forward" to the event.

The annual Silver Clef awards raise funds for the charity Nordoff-Robbins, which provides music therapy for adults and children.

Sande will be presented with her award at the London Hilton on 29 June.

The 25-year-old began writing songs when she was just eight. She has collaborated with UK artists including Professor Green, Tinchy Stryder and Cheryl Cole.

Sande's debut album, Our Version of Events, recently topped the UK album chart.

She is also an ambassador for Nordoff Robbins Scotland and is planning to donate proceeds from her Glasgow Clyde Auditorium show on 6 November to the charity.

Also receiving the Silver Clef Best Newcomer award at the June event will be teenage newcomer Conor Maynard.

The 19-year old singer from Brighton found fame after uploading music onto YouTube.

In December he was selected as MTV's Brand New for 2012 artist and has been described as the UK's answer to Canadian pop superstar Justin Bieber.

Commenting on the prize, Maynard said: "The Awards have celebrated some of the most iconic artists in the last forty years, and it is incredible to be anywhere near that list."

"I'm really looking forward to it and can't thank Nordoff Robbins enough," he added.

Sande and Maynard will join Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jessie J, Michael Buble and Laura Wright who have already been announced as this year's other Silver Clef award recipients.