J K Rowling conferred with Edinburgh's Award

London (ANI): Harry Potter creator JK Rowling has been honoured with Edinburgh''s most prestigious civic award for her contribution to literature.The prestigious 'Edinburgh Award' was earlier won by Rankin, creator of the popular Rebus series, set in the capital.

A panel of judges from the arts, business and science unanimously voted Rowling the 2008 winner. Rowling had penned her first book Harry Potter and the Philosopher''s Stone, in a cafe in Nicolson Street, while struggling to make ends meet as a single mother.

"It is an absolute honour to receive this award, as Edinburgh is very much home for me and is the place where Harry evolved over seven books and many, many hours of writing in its cafes," the Scotsman quoted her, as saying."She is a tremendous asset to the city, not least for her writing prowess but also for her philanthropy and the vast amount of support she gives to numerous charities," said George Grubb, the lord provost.