Reporter 'amazed' to be honoured by borough

Jill Bennett has received the Freedom of the Borough of King's Lynn and West Norfolk

One of the BBC’s longest-serving journalists said she was "amazed" after receiving the highest award a local council can bestow.

Jill Bennett retired in February after 40 years with BBC Norfolk.

At a meeting of the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, she was granted the honorary freedom of the borough.

"I feel very honoured that they should confer the freedom on me, and doubly so because I am the fourth woman since 1900 [to receive the honour]," she said.

Ms Bennett, pictured with fellow recipient, local historian Paul Richards, described the honour as "extraordinary"

She is the first woman to receive the honour since the late Queen Mother.

Ms Bennett was part of the original team at BBC Radio Norfolk when it was formed in 1980, and went on to spend 25 years covering King’s Lynn and West Norfolk as a district reporter.

Councillors praised her service to the local community and her talent as a reporter, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Describing the honour as "extraordinary", Ms Bennett added: "I always used to fly the flag at the BBC for King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.

"I’m just amazed, really."