Frontline heroes who risked their lives to save others during the coronavirus pandemic have been granted the Freedom of Dudley Borough.

Hundreds turned out for a garden party at Himley Hall earlier this week as the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Anne Millward, and council leader, Councillor Patrick Harley, personally thanked them for their efforts.

NHS staff, voluntary sector workers and those working in adult social care, public health, children’s services and bereavement services were all represented.

It is the highest honour that a council can bestow, and it has been awarded in the past to the likes of Sir Lenny Henry, RAF Cosford and Roy Richardson. Frontline staff in receipt of the Freedom scroll now have the right to drive their sheep or cattle through the middle of Dudley town centre. Councillor Anne Millward, the Mayor of Dudley, said:

"It was an honour and a privilege to present Freedom of the Borough to frontline workers for serving the people of this great borough of ours, Dudley, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This is the first time in Dudley’s history that we are presenting Freedom to so many people, and it is so very much deserved. The last two years have been unprecedented and have changed all our lives.

"Without the hard work, dedication and commitment of yourselves, and your colleagues in the frontline services, we would not have been able to get through this. You all have our eternal thanks."

The decision to grant Freedom was made at a meeting of full council following a vote in July 2020, but restrictions and lockdowns delayed the awarding of the scrolls which took place yesterday.