Bob Dylan has been awarded an honorary Pulitzer Prize for his "profound impact on popular music and American culture".

The prize was given to the legendary American singer-songwriter as the Pulitzer body aim to expand to the scope of the prize.

Prize administrator Sig Gissler said they intend to "encompass the full range of excellence in American music".

He added that the award recognised Dylan’s "lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power".

Other recipients this year included novelist Junot Diaz and playwright Tracy Letts.

(by Daniel Melia)