Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston to be honoured at Brits

The Brit awards will be paying tribute to both Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston, when they take place on 21 February.

Organisers of the music awards have altered the timings of the event in order to pay their respects to the two talented female singers who have both passed away over the last year.

A source told the Metro: "Whitney and Amy are two of the biggest female stars in the history of music. Both have made their mark on stage at the Brits in the past.

"Something would feel missing if both their legacies weren't remembered at the show."

Winehouse's last appearance at the Brits occurred in 2007 when she performed 'Valerie' while Houston performed 'It's Not Right But It's Okay' in 1999.

Houston was buried in a private ceremony on the weekend of the 19 February after being found dead in her hotel room on 11 February.

Winehouse was found dead at her Camden home on 23 July 2011 with her funeral taking place on 26 July 2011. Since her death, she has achieved a posthumous number one album for 'Lioness: Hidden Treasures' and won a Grammy for her duet with Tony Bennett.

The Brits take place at London's O2 Academy and will be broadcast live.