Choir gets freedom of the borough

A Teesside choir which is celebrating its 40th anniversary has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough.

The Marske Fishermen's Choir has been handed the highest honour that Redcar and Cleveland Council can bestow.

The choir, which gave its first concert in 1968, has never charged a fee for a performance, and has raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and the late Redcar MP Mo Mowlam are among others to have been awarded the honour.

The choir's musical director Bill Porritt said: "It's been unexpected, and very emotional in our 40th year. And it's all down to Jim Madden, our founder member.

"He would have been so pleased, it was his idea.

"We lost Jim in 1989, and the lads thought I was the natural successor, but remember this is a big team and there's no 'i' in team. We all work together."

No date for the ceremony has yet been set.