Council bosses are proposing to offer the Freedom of the Borough to the 52-year old in recognition of his Oscar winning movie.

Boyle was born in the Radcliffe area of the Lancashire market town and his family still live there. He studied at Thornleigh Salesian College in nearby Bolton.

Local authority leaders are also recommending Brit award winning band Elbow and Paralympian Zoe Robinson for Freedom of the Borough.

Councillor Bob Bibby, Leader of Bury Council, said: “Danny Boyle, Elbow’s and Zoe Robinson’s successes over the past twelve months have really put the borough of Bury on the map, both nationally and internationally.

“We are really proud of all of these individuals’ outstanding achievements in their respective professions and by granting them Freedom of the Borough we want to acknowledge their hard work, determination and commitment and this is the council’s way of congratulating them all on their recent successes”.

Borough Councils can admit to be Honorary Freemen of the Borough, “persons of distinction and those who have rendered eminent services to the Borough”.

This is carried out at a specially convened meeting of the full Council, were the Freeman are presented with the honour.

The Freedom is the highest tribute that a Borough can bestow and although in modern times it is an honour only and does not confer any legal rights.