Country-pop sensation Taylor Swift has been crowned the Tennessean of the Year for 2013 by the state's newspaper, The Tennessean. 

The prize is given "to the person who has made the most exceptional contribution to the lives of Tennesseans this year" and past recipients have included Dolly Parton, Amy Grant and Vince Gill. 

Nashville mayor Karl Dean explained why the 'I Knew You Were Trouble' beauty was chosen in an official statement: "She’s one of the most dynamic and popular musical performers in the world, and she's perceived as having universal appeal across categories. She transcends genres, and that's a great thing for the city."

Swift was heavily involved in charitable organisations over the past twelve months and on her recent 24th birthday gave $100,000 (£66,700) to the Nashville Symphony city orchestra after learning that it was suffering with financial difficulties. 

Back in October, the superstar opened her own education centre in Nashville and donated an incredible $4 million to launch the project.