Paralympic gold medalist Gregg Stevenson was presented with a special award on behalf of Foulridge Parish Council.

The ceremony took place at Foulridge Village Hall in front of civic leaders where Gregg was honoured with the 'Freeman of Foulridge' certificate.

Pendle Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Foulridge councillor and chair of Foulridge Parish Council, Kevin Salter, presented the framed certificate to Gregg, before the Mayor of Pendle, Cllr Mohammad Aslam, paid tribute to the Paralympian.

Gregg won gold at his first Paralympics in a thrilling mixed doubles sculls final with GB race partner Lauren Rowles in Paris. 

He and race partner Lauren added the Paralympic glory to their world and European titles in an outstanding season, setting a series of world records in the process.

Gregg lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan while serving as a Royal Engineer Commando 15 years ago.

The Mayor of Pendle, Cllr Mohammad 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.”

Cllr Kevin 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.”