Josie Lawrence to be made a freeman of Sandwell

Actress Josie Lawrence was hailed "a wonderful person" as councillors agreed to make her a freeman of the borough.

Members agreed to bestow the honour on Whose Line is it Anyway? star Josie Lawrence at a full meeting of Sandwell Council.

Council leader Darren Cooper said: "She is an absolutely wonderful person who has done a lot for all the people she knows.

"She is an esteemed local actress and we want people to know that we are proud of the Sandwell residents who go on to achieve great things."

Born in Old Hill, 51-year-old Josie was well known for her role in Whose Line is it Anyway? as well as for playing Amanda Best in EastEnders.

She started her career at the Barlow Theatre in Oldbury, where she is a patron.

She has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and received the Dame Peggy Ashcroft award for best actress in the 1990s.

She is also well-known for her considerable charity work and has helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for breast cancer research and to provide help for children suffering from autism and special needs.

During her career she has received honorary doctorates from Dartington, the University of Wolverhampton and Aston University.

Josie is the 11th honorary freeman of Sandwell and the second actress to be given the privilege.

She follows Smethwick-born actress Julie Walters who was given the title in 2004.

Others who have received the accolade include comedian Frank Skinner and former Baggies player Cyrille Regis.

Her mother Kath Lawrence, who lives in Cradley Heath, said the award was "a great honour".

Being a freeman of the borough is a purely honorary position but Josie may be asked to attend certain public events as a result.

The actress will receive her award at a formal ceremony in March.

Mr Cooper told Tuesday night's meeting the council would not be bestowing the title on anyone else for some time.