Cricinfo staff21-Jan-2006

Andrew Flintoff makes a speech after receiving the freedom of Preston © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff has been honoured with the freedom of Preston. In front of hundreds of people, who had turned out to watch the event, Flintoff was robed and received a scroll at a council chamber ceremony.

The honour is in recognition of his efforts during the Ashes series, and continues the surge of awards that have come his way since the summer. He was named as cricketer of the year at the ICC Awards in October and BBC Sports Personality in December. However, coming from his home town, this latest accolade means more than most to Flintoff.

"Since last summer there have been a lot of accolades for me and the team but this is right up there with the best of them, if it's not the best," he told the assembled crowds. "Being a Preston lad, having all this to go with it, all these people out here in the bitter cold...thank you very much."

Children from Flintoff's former schools and cricket clubs - City of Preston High School, Greenland's Primary, Harris Park and St Anne's Cricket club - lined the route from the Guild Hall. Flintoff's parents and grandparents were at the event, along with Sir Tom Finney, the former Preston and England footballer, who is one of only 22 people to be honoured this way in the last 100 years.

Flintoff added: "To be honoured by your home city and be on an elite list of people including Sir Tom Finney is something I never thought would happen when I was growing up here.

"Both my dad and my grandfather are always talking about Tom Finney and what a great sportsman he was and it's the same for everybody else in this city, so it makes me very proud to be on the list with him."

The freedom of the city comes with few real privileges, although Flintoff is now able to drive his flock of sheep through the city - should he so wish.