Call for Kyren Wilson to get Freedom of Kettering

Kyren Wilson won a tough final against Jak Jones to become world champion

A Labour politician has called for Kyren Wilson's home town to celebrate his victory in snooker's world championship.

Clark Mitchell, a Labour town councillor, said Wilson should be honoured with the Freedom of Kettering.

He also wants to see Wilson's name in the Northamptonshire town's history timeline.

The 32-year-old won a nail-biting match against Jak Jones 18 frames to 14.

Wilson was born in Kettering in 1991 and still plays pool in the town.

Clark Mitchell said his world championship win had "brought the town together".

He added: "On Monday night, I went to three different pubs in Kettering, all three pubs had the snooker on.

"Everybody was telling stories about how they'd met Kyren, and, in the final one, there was someone pointing out the chair where he sits when he comes in with his friends."

The idea of giving Wilson the Freedom of Kettering had been suggested to Mr Mitchell by local people.

He said: "It's about showing Kyren the town is proud of him - we need to do something to acknowledge this, because otherwise it could just go away and we can't let that happen."

The Timeline celebrates key events and people in Kettering's history

Mr Mitchell also wants Kyren Wilson's achievement included on the town's history timeline, or "walk of fame".

The timeline is made up of granite paving stones which are inscribed with notable events and people who are connected with the town.

The Timeline can be found in Kettering market place

The events on the timeline include the granting of the market charter in 1227, the formation of Kettering Town FC in 1872 and Kettering boots climbing Everest in 1953.

Among the sons and daughters of Kettering named on the stones are the comic artist Frank Bellamy and the singer Faryl Smith.

Kyren Wilson would join people on the Timeline like the singer Faryl Smith, seen here singing at a football final during Covid

Mr Mitchell said Wilson's world championship victory was "a key element that should be on there, something the town can be incredibly proud of".

He added that he had emailed all the town council group leaders, the mayor and the clerk to "start the ball rolling".

Another suggestion from the public was an open-topped bus tour of the town centre.

Mr Mitchell said: "I would absolutely adore something like that to happen [but] that would be up to Kyren if he wanted to do it."

The town council told the BBC it would consider the proposals in due course.