DAVID LYNCH - US DIRECTOR LYNCH GIVEN TOP FRENCH HONOUR

US DIRECTOR LYNCH GIVEN TOP FRENCH HONOUR

US film-maker David Lynch has been awarded the Legion d'Honneur, the highest civilian honour in France.

David Martinon, spokesman for the French presidential palace, confirmed the award for the director of cinematic classics such as The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive.

President Nicolas Sarkozy is to "pay homage to the immense talent of this great creator and filmmaker, but also to the artist who is accomplished in several disciplines," a statement said.

Lynch has been nominated for four Oscars and is renowned for a unique, sometimes unfathomable approach to cinema.

"The president will recall the demanding approach of David Lynch, a creator who changes not only the style and form of filmmaking but also the cinematic genre itself," Martonin added.

Meanwhile, Sting – who starred in Lynch's execrable adaptation of Frank Herbert's Dune – is also to be honoured by the French government, along with Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland.

The culture ministry today confirmed that newly-reformed band The Police will be inducted into the Order of Arts and Letters, ahead of two concerts in Paris this coming weekend.