York-born movie music maestro John Barry was today celebrating his latest accolade - admission to the Ivor Novello Fellowship.

Mr Barry, composer of the music for 12 of the 19 James Bond films and also for scores such as Born Free and Dances With Wolves, was honoured with the Fellowship at the 2001 Novello Awards at London's Grosvenor House. It was only the second Fellowship ever to be given out by the prestigious musical academy, the first being that given to ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney.

The awards, which took place on Saturday, saw Mr Barry take to the stage in front of a montage of clips from some of the great movies he has scored.

Having started to make an acceptance speech, he was interrupted by the awards chairman, who began a short introduction. Not to be thrown, Mr Barry recovered by mouthing silently into the mike - much to the hilarity of the audience.

After being handed his statuette by lyricist Sir Tim Rice, Mr Barry began his acceptance speech, and became visibly choked with emotion half-way through.

His speech was greeted with a two-minute standing ovation.

York Barry fan Geoff Leonard said he was "delighted" that his hero had received the award.

"It's very prestigious indeed," he added. It is a big year for Mr Barry, who has been nominated for the Freedom of the City of York, and who will receive an honorary Doctorate from the University of York on July 12.

He was also heard thanking the people of York for their support during a live telephone interview in the course of a concert of his music in the city yesterday.

Updated: 10:52 Tuesday, May 29, 2001