Sir Paul McCartney has been presented with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the White House.

The former Beatle was given the award by President Barack Obama, who said he had "helped to lay the soundtrack for an entire generation".

Sir Paul went on to perform a string of hits for a small audience in the East Room, which included the president’s wife, Michelle.

After performing his ballad of the same name, Sir Paul joked that he might be the "first guy ever to be punched out by a president".

"I don't think there could be anything more special than to perform here," he said.

Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, Stevie Wonder and Corinne Bailey Rae also performed for guests.

The Gershwin Prize is awarded by the Library of Congress. The previous recipients were Wonder and Paul Simon.

(by Jason Gregory)