Flintoff gets freedom of Preston

England star Andrew Flintoff has enjoyed a memorable past few years © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff completed his staggering list of awards since England's Ashes triumph by becoming an Honorary Freeman of Preston at an official ceremony in the Town Hall.

England's Ashes hero has collected the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, became the joint winner of the International Cricket Council's Player of the Year and has also been awarded an MBE for his role in helping to beat Australia this summer for the first time in 18 years in a Test series.

But on Friday he was given official recognition from his hometown and joined other local heroes like Sir Tom Finney and Nick Park, the creator of the award-winning Wallace & Gromit animation films.

“Since last summer there have been a lot of accolades for me and the team but this is right up there with the best of them, if it's not the best,” said Flintoff.

Flintoff stands alongside with wife Rachel © Getty Images

“To be honoured by your home city and be on an elite list of people including Sir Tom Finney is something I never thought would happen when I was growing up here.

“Both my dad and my grandfather are always talking about Tom Finney and what a great sportsman he was and it's the same for everybody else in this city, so it makes me very proud to be on the list with him.”

Flintoff received his ceremonial robe - which signifies his Honorary Freeman status - at a special ceremony in front of Preston's City Council and was watched by his parents, Colin and Susan, his grandparents and Finney during a 30-minute ceremony.

He was later presented to a crowd and waved to hundreds of people from the Town Hall balcony.

“It's a very proud moment for my family,” he said.

“My dad gets very emotional at this sort of thing and I could see him welling up down there when I was speaking.

“They tell me I am allowed to drive sheep through the town centre now but the perks of the honour are not what it's about - just getting this is a proud enough moment in itself.”

The Lancashire all rounder also revealed he has undergone a rigorous rehabilitation programme to overcome the slight ankle problem which plagued him towards the end of England's tour of Pakistan before Christmas.

But he has yet to decide whether he will fly home to be at the birth of his second child - which is due during the final Test in Mumbai - or remain out in India in the next part of the winter schedule.

“I need to talk to the coach and the captain before we make any hard and fast decisions,” he explained.

“When my daughter Holly was born she came a week early so there is only so much planning you can do for these sorts of things.

“I'd like to be at the birth but we've not made any decisions so far - I'll be talking to my wife Rachael before we make a decision.”