Sting pays tribute to famous North road

Sting was born in Wallsend Credit: PA

Sting has paid tribute to a motorway for carrying some of Britain's greatest rockers on their journey to stardom.

As he picked up the BMI Icon award Sting said the Great North Road, now known as the A1, provided passage for numerous artists and bands from the North East in search of their lucky break.

Such is his reverence for the road he's written a song, Heading South On The Great North Road, dedicated to all musicians, successful or otherwise, who travelled down it.

The former teacher, the son of a Wallsend milkman, described how he took a "leap of faith" and headed down the motorway before joining The Police.

The track features on Sting's 12th solo album, 57th And 9th, due out on November 11.