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Singer Marianne Faithfull has been awarded one of France's highest cultural honours at a Paris ceremony.

The 64-year-old was made Commander of the Arts and Letters by Frederic Mitterrand, the French Minister of Culture and Communication.

The British performer, who now lives in Paris and Ireland, said she was "very, very grateful to be so honoured".

The award recognises figures who have contributed to the "enrichment of the French cultural inheritance".

"Since I started coming to Paris in 1964, the French have welcomed me and been very loving," Faithfull said.

The singer, who had her first hit the same year, recently released her 23rd album Horses & High Heels.

She is currently in the middle of a European tour and will perform three dates in the UK in May.

Previous recipients of the French honour include Sir Michael Caine, singer Stevie Wonder and actors Sir Roger Moore and Dennis Hopper.