Philip Pullman has based many of his books in Oxford

Pullman, whose bestselling trilogy His Dark Materials was about an Oxford girl, will be honoured at a ceremony on 24 January.

The Amber Spyglass, which is part of the trilogy, was the first children's book to win the Whitbread Prize.

The author, who lives in Cumnor, said: "I am immensely gratified that the city I've made my home has found my work worth rewarding."

Lord Mayor Jim Campbell said: "Oxford has an astonishingly rich tradition of children's story telling, and Philip Pullman is a worthy successor to Lewis Carroll and C S Lewis.

"We are pleased to be able to confer the freedom of the city on someone who has given so much enjoyment to children, and adults, all over the world."