Liam Neeson is set for a special honour in his native Northern Ireland after local officials agreed to award him the Freedom of the Borough in his hometown.

The Hollywood actor, who hails from Ballymena, Country Antrim, has been chosen to receive the town's highest civic honour by members of Ballymena Borough Council.

The traditional honour, which gives privileges including the right to herd sheep through the centre of Ballymena, will be bestowed on Neeson at a ceremony in the town next year (13).

The actor revealed he is "honoured" and "delighted" with the award, adding in a message to the council, "Enormous strides have been made in my native Northern Ireland in the past decade, demonstrated by political, social and economic changes that came about through a combination of courage, generosity and persistence."

Ballymena Mayor PJ MCAvoy adds, "I am absolutely delighted that my colleagues have unanimously agreed to offer what is a very significant honour to Liam Neeson."