Olympic and Paralympic stars set to receive Freedom of the City in Peterborough today

A special reception will be held to present the Freedom of the City to Peterborough's Olympic and Paralympic stars.

Gymnast Louis Smith of Eye, who has won four medals across three Olympic Games, and gold medal winning Paralympic rower James Fox will receive the honour at the Town Hall on Tuesday (March 21).

Former city councillors Charles Swift and Shelia Scott will also be presented with scrolls bestowing them with the status of Honorary Alderman.

Mr Swift served as councillor for 62 years after first being elected in 1954.

James Fox is made an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday February 23, 2017. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire EMN-170224-133411002

Paralympic basketball star Lee Manning was also awarded the Freedom of the City, and former councillor Adrian Miners was made an Honorary Alderman, at a special Peterborough City Council meeting in December, however they are unable to attend the presentation evening.

Councillor Peter Hiller, chair of the council’s honours selection panel, said: “Louis, James and Lee are three of the greatest athletes that Peterborough has ever produced and it can only be right that they are receiving the city’s highest honour.

“We are incredibly proud of their achievements and hope that there will be more medals to come in the future.

“Sheila and Adrian will be rewarded for their hard work and dedication as councillors - and Charles’s devotion to this city is simply unrivalled.”

Louis won silver in the pommel horse in last summer’s Olympics.

Lee, meanwhile, won bronze at Rio in wheelchair basketball, while James won gold for rowing.

The reception has been sponsored by the council’s partners Arcus Global.

Music will be provided by the Peterborough Centre for Young Musicians.