Wolverhampton singer Beverley Knight is presented with Freedom of the City

Singer Beverley Knight MBE has been presented with Freedom of the City of Wolverhampton.

Freedom of the City is the highest honour the council recognises for outstanding achievement.

Wolverhampton-born Beverley, a multi-award-winning recording artist and performer, has been given the honour in recognition of her eminent services to the City of Wolverhampton and public relations.

She was presented with a scroll by the new Mayor of Wolverhampton, Cllr Phil Page last night (Wednesday May 16th).

Beverley took the UK soul scene by storm in 1995 and gained an international fanbase in more than 20 countries with fans as far afield as Australia and Brazil.

She has received three MOBO awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award and has been nominated for BRIT Awards and the Mercury Music Prize, amongst many others.

Beverley received her MBE from the Queen in 2007 in recognition of her services to music and the work she does on behalf of several charities. She was recognised as a Wolverhampton Famous Daughter in 2011 in the arts, media and entertainment category and the judging panel described her as an outstanding role model.

In recent years she has appeared in many acclaimed West End shows including The Bodyguard, Cats and Memphis The Musical for which she was nominated for an Olivier award.

Beverley is a life-long Wolverhampton Wanderers fan and recently performed at a celebration event in West Park in front of 30,000 people to mark Wolves promotion to the Premier League.