The former leader of Wandsworth Council has been made a freeman of the borough just weeks after receiving a knighthood.

Sir Edward Lister said he was "enormously honoured and very grateful" after learning councillors voted unanimously last week to bestow the titles of honorary freeman of the borough and honorary alderman on him.

An honorary freeman is the highest distinction the town hall can confer. It has been awarded to just 15 individuals since the council's inception in 1965.

Responding to the news, which came just days after he was awarded a knighthood for services to local government, Sir Edward told the Wandsworth Guardian: "I have put a lot of my time into Wandsworth and to be rewarded by them like this is a great honour."

Council leader, Councillor Ravi Govindia, said: "Sir Edward served on the council for 35 years, the last 19 of which he spent as leader. Not only was he the longest serving council leader in the country but he was by far the most successful.

"With him at the helm Wandsworth became the best run local authority in the country, evidenced by a four star Audit Commission rating for excellence, the country's lowest council tax bills and the top satisfaction ratings from local residents.

"He also leaves an exceptional legacy as an environmental, quality of life and transport campaigner who played a leading role in defeating the previous Government’s plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

"These titles represent our thanks and appreciation to Sir Edward for his outstanding and distinguished service to the people of Wandsworth."

Sir Edward, who left the council earlier this year to take up the post of deputy mayor of London, will officially receive the titles at an award ceremony on September 15.

The last person to be named an honorary freeman was former councillor Gordon Seymour Passmore MBE, in November 2007.

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