Colin Dexter, creator of Inspector Morse, was awarded Oxford's highest honour last night from Lord Mayor Maureen Christian.
Honoured: Colin DexterActors John Thaw and Kevin Whately, who played Morse and his sidekick Lewis, joined city councillors, dignitaries and devoted Morse fans at the town hall where Mr Dexter was made an Honorary Freeman.
His popular crime stories have been translated into dozens of languages and televised all over the world and have done much to spread the word about the beauty of Oxford.
Mr Dexter said he felt proud, but more than a little humbled at receiving an honour previously bestowed on President Nelson Mandela and Burma human rights campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi.
Mr Dexter, 70, of Banbury Road, Oxford, said: "Indeed I am very proud. Anyone would be. But I am surprised that they should have picked me.
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