TWO of Blackpool's most famous citizens were awarded the freedom on the borough at a special ceremony.

The Pleasure Beach's Doris Thompson and former England football captain, Jimmy Armfield, were given the rare honour by the council for their services to the area.

Mrs Thompson has been on the board of the Pleasure Beach for some 60 years and celebrated her 100th birthday this year. She has played a vital role in the leisure industry and is the town, has worked for the charity, Barnados, for more than 50 years and served as a JP.

Despite her age, Mrs Thompson still enjoys testing new rides, most recently the 160ft high Spin Doctor, which opened last year.

She said: "I am delighted to have been honoured in this way by the people of Blackpool and it is especially touching that it should come in my hundredth year. My father began Blackpool Pleasure Beach more than a century ago and long may it continue to boost tourism for the region."

Mr Armfield joined Blackpool FC as a 17 year old in 1952 and went on to win 43 England caps. The highlight of his career came when he was named as the best right-back in the 1962 World Cup and he was also a member of the 1966 world cup winning squad, though he did not feature in the team for the final.

He spent his entire career at Blackpool, but went on to manage Bolton Wanderers and took Leeds United to the European Cup Final.

Since giving up management in 1978, he has been a familiar voice on BBC Radio as well as playing an active role in the local community as a non-executive director of the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Hospitals Trust, a governor at Arnold School and organist/choirmaster at St Peter's Church, Blackpool. He is also President of Age Concern in Blackpool and Vice President of Lancashire Outward Bound Trust.

He said: "It's the greatest honour you can have to be recognised by your own folk and I feel quite humble about it.

"I would like to think it reflects on the organisations with which I've been involved."

Both have been honoured by the Queen, Mrs Thompson with an MBE and Mr Armfield an OBE. Seasiders supporters are also campaigning for Mr Armfield to receive a knighthood, and the club's new south stand is also to be named after him. The last person to be awarded the freedom of Blackpool was another former footballer, Stanley Mortensen.

Yesterday's ceremony saw them presented with scrolls by the Mayor of Blackpool, Cllr Ivan Taylor, and was followed by a celebratory lunch at the Imperial Hotel.