RESIDENTS in east Cleveland have shown their support for a local hero to become only the third person to receive an honour.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council asked residents for nominations for the honour of freedom of the borough.

The only other two people to have been given the title are football legend Wilf Mannion and Redcar MP Mo Mowlam.

But, east Cleveland councillors Steve Kay and Bruce Mackenzie have been leading a campaign for the honour to go to ex-England and Boro skipper George Hardwick, who comes from the east Cleveland village of Lingdale.

Now the councillors have presented a petition containing 328 signatures to Colin Moore, the chief executive of Redcar and Cleveland council, supporting 80-year-old Mr Hardwick's nomination.

The petition is signed by supporters in Lingdale, Boosbeck, Margrove Park, Charltons and Stanghow.

Coun Kay said: "These are local people saluting a local hero. After the sad death of Freeman Wilf Mannion, it is appropriate that former Middlesbrough, England and Great Britain football captain George should receive this accolade.

"George came from Lingdale and the people out here have never forgotten him, because, through his charity and youth work, George has never forgotten them.

"If George receives this honour, it will be an honour for Lingdale and east Cleveland too."

Coun Mackenzie added: "People like myself, who come from Lingdale, recognise the great work George has done, both nationally and locally.

"He is not only a great footballer, but also a great and generous man. He is a credit to Lingdale and to the whole of Redcar and Cleveland.

"No one deserves this honour more than George Hardwick."

A spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland council said yesterday: "The case for George has been well made, and we will be looking at it with other nominations in due course.

"A decision on who will be conferred the honour will be made later in the year."