TT legend John McGuinness has been made an Honorary Freeman of the City of Lancaster, the highest honour the city can bestow.
He is only the 10th person to be granted the Freedom of the City since the present Lancaster City Council was formed in 1974, and the first sportsperson.
The award followed a campaign by the Lancaster and Morecambe Citizen newspaper calling for the road racing hero, who is from Morecambe, to be recognised.
Hundreds of returned coupons supporting the campaign, while many more supporters from around the world joined the campaign via the internet.
McGuinness, who is the third most successful rider in the 100-year history of the TT with 13 wins, received the honour at a special meeting of the Lancaster City Council.
Cllr Abbott Bryning proposed the motion, second by Cllr John Day, before McGuinness was asked to take the Oath of a Free Citizen by chief executive Mark Cullinan.
A civic reception then took place in the town hall banqueting suite.
McGuinness, who improved his own outright lap record around the famous Mountain Circuit during the Centenary TT to break through the 130mph barrier for the first time, admitted he was ‘overwhelmed’.
He added:
‘I never would have thought this would have happened when 30 years ago my dad sat me on a 50cc bike and told me to go and rip around the local industrial estate.’
‘He probably wanted me out from under his feet – but that was that for me. I never wanted to do anything else and cricket and football never interested me. It was always bikes.’
‘All my family and friends helped me out to get me where I am today and I am so pleased and honoured to get this award, I'm overwhelmed to be honest.’
Phil Wain