OSCAR-WINNING actor Dame Judi Dench, one of the region's most famous daughters, has been given the freedom of the city of York at a civic ceremony.

The internationally-acclaimed star of stage and screen was surrounded by family and friends as she was confirmed as an Honorary Freeman, in the Chapter House of York Minster, at the weekend.

Originally from Heworth, near York, Dame Judi was voted York's Living Great of the Millennium by the city's people in 1999, and came second only to the Queen in a recent poll of the country's most popular women.

During Saturday's ceremony, York city clerk David Atkinson administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Freeman's Oath to Dame Judi.

The star, who made her professional debut as the Virgin Mary in the 1957 York Mystery Plays, was presented with a specially-designed vellum scroll by the Lord Mayor of York, David Horton.

Dame Judi said: "I'm delighted to be here among so many friends for this very special occasion and I feel very honoured to have been given the Freedom of the City.

"I don't get to York as often as I would like, in spite of having family here, but it is very much my home."

Councillor Horton said: "I know full well the high regard in which Dame Judi is held by the citizens of York. This is an honour richly deserved by an artist who commands, both nationally and internationally, the greatest respect for her talent."

* Dame Judi is to be awarded an honorary degree by Leeds University on Wednesday. She will join Nobel laureate cancer researcher Sir Paul Nurse at the ceremony, where they will receive their honours from the university's chancellor Melvyn Bragg.