A PARISH council has awarded the title of Honorary Freewoman of a village to one of its residents.

Valerie Porter has been given the title of Honorary Freewoman of the Parish of Middleton St George.

At a Special Meeting held earlier this year, Middleton St George Parish Council voted unanimously that the title should be given to Mrs Porter in recognition and appreciation for the "tremendous" work she has done over the past five years to make the village a worthy winner of Northumbria in Bloom.

Although the village has never won the Northumbria in Bloom Small Towns Category, it has achieved Silver Gilt on several occasions, and Gold in 2015 and 2017

On accepting the honour, Mrs Porter said: "A lot of people contribute to Middleton St George in bloom, including my sisters Maz Holmes and Joan Million, my son Adam Flynn, and my husband Kevin.

"Maz does the fundraiser and a lot of the recycling, Joan gives a day to the fundraiser, Adam waters when we holiday, and Kevin does so much work and also gets the compost.

"But for my hours to be recognised in this way is very special to me.

"In life, I feel 'Jack of all trades' but the Village in Bloom brought all my skills together and I enjoyed the experience.

"Thank you for this, I really appreciate it."

All local town and parish councills may exercise their powers to confer honorary

freeman or honorary freewoman to persons of distinction and those who, in the council’s

opinion, have rendered eminent services to the council’s area.