Honorary degree for Streetly's Peaky Blinders creator

Steven Knight, a former Streetly School pupil, wrote the award-winning BBC series which centres around a criminal gang in Birmingham.

Much of the show was filmed at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. It was a huge success after airing in 2013.

The 56-year-old screenwriter, who grew up in Streetly before moving to Birmingham, received an honorary degree in creative arts, design and media yesterday.

He said he was planning an celebration with only a few family members and friends.

After being presented with the award, he said: "I was a bit shocked to be asked to be honest but now it feels fantastic and a real honour to be here today.

"To be here today back in my home town to accept it is wonderful. I'm really trying to do stuff here media wise and make things happen in the city.

"We need to get more involved and creative here and there's no reason why not. I would actually love to start a film studio here, that's something I've been thinking about for while."

He believes the success of the gangster drama, which includes Hollywood star Cillian Murphy among its cast, has put the region in the spotlight.

The bulk of the filming took place at the Black Country Living Museum's canal arm, which underwent a post-First World War transformation into regular character Charlie Strong's Small Heath-based scrap yard.

The usual layout was altered dramatically prior to filming, with dozens of production staff spending three days at the site fitting props and special effects.

Mr Knight, who still has family and friends in Streetly, said: "Mostly because of the success of it here and internationally I think it has put Birmingham out there to show people that we do have the potential to do something great."