THE Council’s highest honour was officially bestowed during an Extraordinary Council meeting and celebrated with a civic ceremony at Bootle Town Hall.

This award recognises Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s exceptional contribution to arts, literature, and community life across Sefton, including his acclaimed work writing the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

He has a lifelong commitment to promoting literacy and creativity in Sefton, the borough where he was born and which he continues to call home.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce said:- “It’s a huge honour to receive the Freedom of the Borough from a place that has shaped so much of who I am. Sefton is full of stories, full of heart, and full of hope – and I’ve always tried to reflect that in my work. I’m deeply grateful to the Council and to the community for this recognition.”

By receiving this accolade, he joins an esteemed group of local figures, including footballers Jamie Carragher and Alex Greenwood, as well as the late Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain, trainer of legendary Grand National winner Red Rum.

Sefton Council has also granted the Freedom of the Borough to Sefton CVS as well as Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, recognising the dedication and hard work of their staff during the Covid‑19 pandemic.