AWARD-winning Huddersfield poet and writer Simon Armitage is to receive an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University.
Armitage, who began writing at the age of 14, has received many accolades for his work, including BAFTA and TV documentary prizes for both his writing and his portrayal of social injustices and mental health issues.
He is known to many for using contemporary language and accessible themes in his work, and is the youngest poet to have his work included in the National Curriculum.
The 46-year-old writer lives in the Huddersfield area, where he was born and brought up, and said he is "really excited" to be receiving the award, which will be presented in November.
He added: "Coming to Sheffield is always a pleasure and I love the fact that the city wears its heart on its sleeve.
"I am also interested in the city's musical traditions and always visit with a spring in my step and a tune in my head."
Armitage did not originally think writing was a viable career option and after studying for an MA degree he went into the probation service.
While he was still working as a probation officer in Greater Manchester,his first collection of poems, Zoom!, was published in 1989.
In 1993 he won the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award and in 1994, after seven years in the probation service, he decided to choose writing as a full-time occupation.
At the latest count has written 11 volumes of poetry, four stage plays,over a dozen TV films, two novels, two memoirs, numerous songs, and an opera libretto.
