Sir Bill Beaumont honoured by adopted home

Sir Bill Beaumont received the award from Fylde Council leader Karen Buckley (left) and mayor Cheryl Little

Rugby legend Sir Bill Beaumont has been awarded the Freedom of his adopted home.

Beaumont - who became England captain in 1978 and led the team to a grand slam two years later - was given the honour by Fylde borough.

Fylde Council leader Karen Buckley said it was "a wonderful occasion" to grant the award to the former player, who also played for Fylde and Lancashire.

The Chorley-born star was also a team captain on A Question of Sport.

Historic award

He has been president of the World Rugby federation since 2016.

Councillor Buckley said: “Sir Bill has not only subsequently driven transformational governance reform in support of world rugby, but he has also driven improvements for player welfare and wellbeing.

“It was a privilege to award him the Freedom of the borough of Fylde in recognition of these great achievements.”

The rarely-granted award originates from the medieval era, when Freemen had commercial privileges and could gain a position of power in their town or city.