Sign to honour Van the Man

Belfast City Council is to present Van Morrison with the sign of a street which inspired one of his most famous songs to mark his 70th birthday.

Morrison grew up on Hyndford Street in the east of the city. He later wrote about the silence of the summer nights in On Hyndford Street.

The old-style Belfast sign will form part of a piece by artist Ross Wilson and will be presented to the singer and songwriter who turns 70 on August 31.