ASHES hero Ashley Giles is to be given a unique award to mark his achievements with the England cricket team.
The Droitwich resident is to be made an honorary citizen of the town by the Mayor of Droitwich, Councillor Richard Morris, in a ceremony next month.
The title has been specifically created for him in recognition of his batting exploits in the last two tests of this summer's Ashes, which were vital to helping win the historic urn. Coun Morris said: "We felt it was important to honour this remarkable achievement.
But unfortunately, winning the Ashes did not fulfil the requirements for the title of honorary freeman, which recognises years of work for the local community.
"So we thought about it and it was decided he would be our first honorary citizen, which will be given to Droitwich people who have been recognised internationally for something they have done."
A special hand-written scroll will be presented during the ceremony on the evening of Friday, October 14, at the council chamber at St Richard's House, Victoria Square, Droitwich.
Giles will be joined at the event by members of the Droitwich Spa Cricket Club, who were in the semi-finals of the Wise communities Twenty20 Cup earlier this month.
But it will be the King of Spin's achievements that will be the talk of the town for a while.
During what became the most entertaining Ashes series in recent memory, the cricket legend took 10 wickets, an average of a wicket every 57.8 runs, and scored a 155 runs.
In the final test, at The Oval, he did a superb job at the crease supporting Kevin Pietersen as he smashed the Australian bowlers around the ground.
Cricket-lover Peter Luff, MP for Mid Worcestershire, described news of the honour as "marvellous".
He said: "I think it's absolutely splendid. It's richly deserved."
Ashley Giles himself could not be contacted by the Worcester News to talk about the award.
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