A CRITICALLY acclaimed author, who draws his inspiration from Meirionnydd, has been awarded a knighthood.

Multi-award-winning writer of His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours for his services to literature.

Mr Pullman was born in Norwich and travelled with his family to Zimbabwe and Australia before settling in Llanbedr.

He attended secondary school at Ysgol Ardudwy in Harlech before going on to study English at the University of Oxford.

Alongside His Dark Materials, which is currently being adapted into a BBC television series, the talented author wrote the popular young adult novel, The Broken Bridge, which is set in the landscape of Ardudwy.

Speaking about his latest honour, the beloved author was delighted to stand alongside some of his personal heroes, many of which work in completely different fields than him.

“I was very surprised and honoured to be offered a knighthood,” he said.

“I believe the profession of letters should be recognised as having a proper place in the life of the nation, along with science, and sport, and music, and scholarship, and many other human activities.

“Many people I admire, such as Quentin Blake, Ellen MacArthur, Chris Hoy, Jacqueline Wilson, Nicholas Hytner, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Bryn Terfel, Ray Davies, Mary Beard – far too many to list – have been happy to accept a knighthood or damehood, and I am proud to be in their company.”

Mr Pullman was also keen to thank everyone who had helped him reach the apex of British literature.

“I’m immensely grateful to those who have worked so hard over many years to edit, publish, illustrate, and sell my books, and to the Society of Authors, which does so much for the profession of authorship,” he continued.

“I’m most grateful of all to those who continue to read my books, and I hope they don’t have to work as hard as those who edit them.”