Aretha Franklin is to become only the fourth recipient of the National Association For The Advancement Of Colored People (NAACP)’s Vanguard prize at the 39th annual Image Awards.

The honour is bestowed on stars whose "groundbreaking work" increases "understanding and awareness of social and racial issues".

Past recipients are Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kramer and Prince.

Franklin will pick up the award at the Image Awards on 14 February (08).