Freeman honour awaits Sir Bobby

Sir Bobby is fighting cancer for a fifth time

Football legend Sir Bobby Robson is expected to be made a Freeman of the city of Durham.

Councillors in the city will discuss the move at a meeting on Monday, which will recognise the 75-year-old's services to sport and charity.

Sir Bobby, who grew up at Langley Park on the outskirts of Durham and managed England and Newcastle, is fighting cancer for the fifth time.

If agreed by councillors, a ceremony will take place later this year.

Sir Bobby is currently raising cash to fund a state-of-the-art cancer research centre to help doctors diagnose and find new treatments for the disease.

'Unusual times'

Councillor Arnie Simpson will propose a motion at a meeting of the council recommending Sir Bobby as an Honorary Freeman of Durham City.

As well as Sir Bobby, sculptor Fenwick Lawson and Durham University Chancellor Dr Bill Bryson have also been nominated.

Councillor Grenville Holland, the mayor of Durham City, said: "It is very unusual for three recommendations to be made in this way but these are unusual times.

"In the history of this council we want to mark this important year by honouring three special people to Durham and I am delighted to learn that all three are going to accept this honour."

Durham City Council will be abolished next year and replaced by a unitary authority in County Durham.