Bob Dylan has won the 2016 Nobel prize for literature.

The American singer was awarded the pretigous prize for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”.

“Dylan embodies the tradition. And for 54 years, he’s been at it, reinventing himself, creating a new identity,” Permanent Secutarty Sara Danius said after she made the announcement.

“Bob Dylan writes poetry for the ear … it’s perfectly fine to read his works as poetry.

“He is a great poet in the grand English tradition. I know the music, and I’ve started to appreciate him much more now. Today, I’m a lover of Bob Dylan”.

As well as the honour of being the first songwriter to win the prestigious award, Dylan will receive an 18-karat gold medal and a check for about €848,683.