A STALWART figure on Droitwich Town Council has been given the freedom of Droitwich in recognition of his services to the community.

Town councillor and Wychavon District Council chairman Don Lawley was made an honorary freeman of the town at a ceremony on Monday, March 17.

Coun Lawley called it a fantastic honour.

He was presented with a plaque outlining the award by Droitwich Mayor Richard Morris.

Coun Lawley, aged 74, first joined the town council in 1969 and has been mayor four times in 1974, when he was the town's youngest mayor, aged 39 and in 1985, 1989 and 2000.

He was also leader of Wychavon District Council in 1994, chairman in 1987 and again this year and served on Worcestershire County Council between 1989 and 1993. Originally from Birmingham, Coun Lawley came to the town 50 years ago and has spent four decades on the town council.

He said: "It's a long time but it's gone tremendously quickly. I do it because I have a saying: Use it or lose it'. If you don't use it, it goes.

"It's also to help the people. Whatever I can give out to them to help them, I will try and do my best."

Coun Lawley said being a freeman was an honorary title but joked he was now allowed to drive sheep and cattle down the High Street. He said: "I'll have to rent a flock." He also paid tribute to his wife Maureen and said his achievements were only possible with her support.

Presenting the award, Coun Morris said: "Don has always shown the utmost commitment and love of Droitwich in all that he has done.

"There has hardly been a better attendee at meetings and community events over nearly 40 years."

The couple invited 60 friends and colleagues to join them for a celebration at the Raven Hotel after the ceremony. Coun Lawley is the town's only living freeman following the death of Annie Sandles in January.

Other freemen have included William Morris, later Lord Nuffield, Berrill Inett, Derek Platts, Eric Shirley Jones, Geoffrey Dugard Showell, Thelma Hammond and Harry Hipkiss.