Flintoff dinner tickets on sale

Flintoff is the first honorary freeman this century

Members of the public are expected to snap up tickets for an event to celebrate cricket star Andrew Flintoff being made a freeman of Preston.

The 28-year-old, who was born in the city, is being honoured for "services and accomplishments" in the sport.

Flintoff will receive his honour in a ceremony on 20 January, which will be followed by a formal dinner with 300 members of the public.

Tickets for the dinner event go on sale in Preston on Tuesday.

Only 22 people were given the honour in Preston in the last century, including footballer Sir Tom Finney in 1979 and animator Nick Park in 1997.

'Massive' event

Flintoff, nicknamed Freddie, will be robed and presented with a scroll during the ceremony.

The cricket star will then appear on the balcony of the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, before moving on the dinner at Preston Guild Hall.

All proceeds from the event will go to local children's hospice Derian House.

Coun Harold Parker, one of the organisers, said: "Andrew Flintoff being made an honorary freeman is a massive event for Preston and we're keen to ensure that local people have as much chance as possible to join in the celebrations.

"Having dinner with someone who is so well respected and admired locally, nationally and internationally is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we expect there will be a high demand for tickets."

Flintoff was a pupil at Greenland County Primary School and Ribbleton High School, now called City of Preston High.

The honour has no real privileges and is regarded as an award to men or women of note who have lived or worked in the city.

The Lancashire all-rounder said he was looking forward to seeing as many Prestonians as possible at the event.