A PAIR of tireless volunteers have become the first people to be awarded the Freedom of Haxby.

Charity fundraiser, Eunice Cooper, who has been nominated for a Community Pride Award, and Eddie Benson, who has a life-long association with youth work, were both nominated for the award which is run by Haxby Town Council.

They received their awards - which are an honorary title and don’t come with any special privileges - at a special ceremony held at St Mary’s Church Hall, Haxby.

Clerk to the council, Mark Scott, said: “Both Eunice and Eddie have done a lot of good for the community. The way the award works is members of the public can make their nominations through the town council website and then a member of the council has to sponsor the individual, the council takes a vote and the award is given. We hope to be able to make the award annually.”