OLYMPIC cycling champion Matt Walls is set to be awarded Honorary Freedom of the Borough status later tonight.

The 23-year-old from Shaw struck gold in the omnium event in Tokyo before adding a silver medal alongside teammate Ethan Hayter in the madison a couple of days later.

Matt, a former Crompton House School student, will only be the 27th person to receive the Freedom of the Borough award since 1909.

Previous recipients of the award, which is the highest accolade that the council can bestow, include Dame Sarah Lees, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Norman Stoller and fellow sports stars Nicola White and Kevin Sinfield.

Councillor Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, said: “Matt’s performances in Tokyo were brilliant – especially as he had to overcome the disappointment of the Olympics being postponed the year before.

“After the tough 18 months we’ve all had it was superb to be able to cheer Matt on and see him bring home the medals.

“Oldham is proud of him, we want him to continue winning medals and I hope he inspires other young people to get in the saddle and follow in his footsteps."

It comes after Oldham MPs, Jim McMahon, Debbie Abrahams and Angela Rayner wrote to Cllr Arooj Shah putting the case forward that Walls should be given the prestigious honour..

If the award is agreed by councillors the cyclist will receive it during a ceremony on a date to be confirmed.

Being awarded the freedom of the borough allows those awarded the title the right to march through Oldham on ceremonial occasions with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying.

Residents can watch councillors discuss Matt’s Honorary Freedom of the Borough nomination on the live council meetings section of the council’s website.

The meeting starts at 6pm before the full council meeting.