Award-winning fundraiser is town's youngest freeman

Town councillors voted to make Joshua Denning an honorary freeman

A fundraiser and volunteer who has raised more than £50,000 for local causes has been awarded his hometown's "highest honour".

Joshua Denning, 20, is the youngest person to be granted Honorary Freedom of the Town of Lyme Regis, Dorset.

Mr Denning, who is autistic, has been a fundraiser for community events and charities, including the annual Regatta and Carnival Week.

Lyme Regis mayor Philip Evans described him as "an extraordinary young man".

Mr Denning has also raised funds for Lifeboat Week, Lyme Lunge, the Poppy Appeal, the annual fireworks display and the Lyme Regis Town Band performances on the seafront.

Last month he won the regional Pride of Britain Fundraiser of the Year award.

The national winners are due to be announced at a ceremony in London later this month.

The motion to make Mr Denning an honorary freeman of the town was put forward by Mr Evans.

He said: "Freedom of the town is the greatest honour the council can bestow on one of its citizens and Joshua, at the age of 20, is the youngest ever to receive this acclaim.

"As a council I believe we should recognise those who go that extra mile for our town and no one has put in more miles for Lyme than this extraordinary young man.

"Josh has brought a huge amount of publicity to the town in winning the West Country Pride of Britain award for young fundraisers and we wish him every success when he goes to London for the national awards."

The only other Lyme citizen to hold the freedom of the town is Phil Street, awarded for his years as town crier and work with the twinning association.

Mr Denning will attend the Pride of Britain awards at Grosvenor House with his mother, Annette, on 21 October.

He will receive his freedom scroll at a private mayor's reception at Lyme Regis Guildhall on 15 November.