WORLD cup winning rugby player Jonny Wilkinson is to be proposed for the highest honour a North-East city can give.

Leader of Newcastle City Council Councillor Tony Flynn has announced that he is to propose that the Newcastle Falcons player who kicked his country to victory is awarded freedom of the city.

He will seek the approval of councillors at full council meeting on Wednesday.

Coun Flynn said: "Jonny Wilkinson came to the city six years ago and with Rob Andrew has helped transform Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club. "Jonny came from the south of England, brought his family up to Newcastle and represents our world-class city and world-class culture. "The people of Newcastle feel a great pride for all of Jonny's achievements."

Previous recipients of the honorary freedom of Newcastle have included Nelson Mandela, Jonathan Edwards, Alan Shearer and Cardinal Basil Hume.