Snow Patrol's lead singer Gary Lightbody is in line for the highest honour his local council can give him.
The band front man has been nominated for the Freedom of Ards and North Down for putting Bangor on the map with his music.
Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down, Karen Douglas, and Cllr Craig Blayney made the suggestion which will be discussed at a full council meeting on Wednesday, October 23.
Councillor Douglas said: "We are recommending this award in recognition of the outstanding contribution Gary has made in our local area; both as a musician of international renown and as a champion of charitable causes, in particular mental health awareness and support for grassroots music makers in Northern Ireland."
Councillor Blayney added: "As a Council we are very proud of all that Gary has achieved, and continues to achieve, in the field of music but also as both an entrepreneur and charity ambassador. Councillor members from all parties are supportive of the proposal and we know that people from across the Borough, and especially those in Bangor, will be delighted that we are proposing to give him this award."
Freedom of the Borough of North Down and Ards stretches back to the 1600s when freemen - usually from the upper classes - were given privileges such a toll and tax exepmtions and were often the only men who could stand for public office.
Now the title is purely honorary, but is the highest that can be handed out in council chambers.
Multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter, Gary Lightbody formed his first band ‘Shrug’ following a move to Dundee to study in 1994, but went on to become lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of globally recognised alternative rock band Snow Patrol.
In returned to his hometown of Bangor to deliver his third sold-out Ward Park gig, pulling off a major surprise with U2 frontman Bono.
His band, which was briefly known as Polarbear, has sold15 million album worldwide, had five UK Platinum Albums, and are Grammy, BRIT Award and Mercury Music Prize nominated.
In 2018, Lightbody was also awarded the NI Music Prize Outstanding Contribution to Music Award for his contribution to music and his continued support of the Northern Ireland music scene.
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