Robbie Williams 40th birthday plaque unveiled

A blue plaque honouring Robbie Williams has been unveiled in Stoke-on-Trent as the council announced plans to award him freedom of the city.

The plaque has been mounted on gates in Tunstall Park, near the pop singer's childhood home.

His parents Jan Williams and Pete Conway attended a special ceremony alongside Stoke-on-Trent's Lord Mayor.

The unveiling is part of a series of events in the singer's home city to mark his 40th birthday.

Pupils from Williams's former schools performed cover versions of his songs before Lord Mayor Sheila Pitt unveiled the plaque.

In a statement on his oblog, the singer said the "magnitude of this great honour fills me with immense pride and foreboding to not let you all down".

"I wear where I'm from like a badge of honour - always have done, always will do."

'Famous son'

Councillors are due to vote at a meeting on 20 March on whether to offer Williams the freedom of Stoke-on-Trent.

Robbie Williams is currently rehearsing for his upcoming world tour which starts in April

The council said the honour would not only be in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music but also for his local and international fundraising activities.

Council leader Mohammed Pervez said: "Robbie is one of our city's most famous sons who is proud of his roots and connections to his hometown.

"Over the past 24 years he has raised the profile of our city nationally and internationally... it is right that we recognise his achievements."

Williams's dad Pete Conway said: "There hasn't been many people given the freedom of this city so for it to be my son it shows how well he's done for himself.

"I'm extremely proud of him, of course, and I'm very pleased that the city have seen fit to consider him for this honour."

Last week, an exhibition inspired by the singer's career opened at a Burslem art gallery.

On 13 February, the town will hold a "Robbie Day" in honour of his 40th birthday.