Alan Sillitoe, Nottingham's most famous contemporary author, is to be made an Honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham at a special ceremony in June this year.

He will become Nottingham's 35th Honorary Freeman since William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, became the first person to be honoured in this way in 1905. Alan Sillitoe was born in Nottingham on 4th March 1928 and worked at the city’s Raleigh bicycle factory on leaving school at the age of 14.

His first novel, the ground-breaking and critically acclaimed ‘Saturday Night and Sunday Morning,’ painted a vivid picture of Nottingham life. His next book, ‘The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner,’ was filmed in 1961 with Tom Courtenay in the leading role. He has published 25 novels as well as volumes of poetry, books for children, screenplays and essays.

City Council Leader Councillor Jon Collins said: "Alan Sillitoe is Nottingham's most significant author of modern times and a worthy successor to the literary giants Byron and Lawrence who came before him. I'm absolutely delighted he has accepted the offer to become an Honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham This is a hugely prestigious honour and an entirely appropriate one for a man of Alan's outstanding achievements over the years. I’m looking forward to formally proposing this at the Full Council meeting in June.

"Alan's work is internationally acclaimed and yet inescapably tied to the city where he was born and raised. His writings brilliantly capture the essence of radical, working-class Nottingham in the post-war years. It's the power of his storytelling and the authenticity of the heroes of his novels, and the films that were made of them, that made Alan one of the most significant British authors of the 20th Century. Not bad for a lad with such humble beginnings.

"We're really looking forward to the special ceremony in June when, as a City, we'll be able to pay tribute to Alan and thank him for the enormous contribution he's made to telling Nottingham's story to the world. There's also cause for celebration now as Alan reaches his 80th birthday. I'm sure everyone will join with me in sending Alan our very best wishes for this special day."

Alan Sillitoe said: "It really is an honour. It's something I never thought I'd get. I'm staggered."

For more information about Alan Sillitoe including his biography please click here.

BBC Nottingham interviewed Alan Sillitoe just before his 80th Birthday, click here if you want like to read the interview.