A Paralympian has been made a Freeman of Foulridge following an official ceremony.

Foulridge Parish Council presented Gregg Stevenson with the Freeman of Foulridge certificate at an event at Foulridge Village Hall.

The event was attended by residents and local HM Forces groups.

Councillor Kevin Salter, Pendle Borough Council’s armed forces champion, who is also chair of Foulridge Parish Council, presented the framed certificate to Mr Stevenson.

The Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Mohammad Aslam, also paid tribute to the Paralympian.

Mr Stevenson thanked those attending for their support over the years, and proudly showed off his gold medal to those who wanted to see it for themselves up close.

The Paralympian rowed to victory to claim gold at the Paralympics in Paris at the beginning of September.

Mayor Aslam said: "To have a Paralympic gold medal winner in Pendle is an outstanding privilege, and it is wonderful that Foulridge Parish Council has honoured Gregg in this way."

Mr Salter added: "As soon as we heard of Gregg winning a gold medal, fellow parish councillors and villagers all wanted to do something to mark his outstanding achievement.

"We wanted to find a fitting tribute for Gregg, and I feel we have achieved that by making him a Freeman of Foulridge, where he currently lives - as well as renaming the village play area after him and sponsoring an annual social award at our local primary school, St Michael and All Angels."

Mr Stevenson sadly lost both of his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan fifteen years ago, while he was serving as a Royal Engineer Commando.