YORK'S favourite adopted son has been shown the city is 100 per cent behind him.

Pantomime dame Berwick Kaler was made an Honorary Freeman after nominations from the Lord Mayor of York, Coun David Horton -and Geordie star Jimmy Nail.

Berwick and Jimmy worked together on TV shows including Spender and Crocodile Shoes, and the Newcastle actor has been to see Berwick's panto every year since. Coun Horton said: "I was more than willing to forward a nomination on Berwick's behalf on the grounds that he has given immeasurable pleasure to literally hundreds of thousands of York's residents, adults and children alike."

It follows last year's award of an Honorary Doctorate to Berwick, originally from Sunderland, from the University of York last year. Berwick said: "I'm not comfortable with any kind of awards for doing my job, but when it comes from the people you do not turn it down. I am knocked out with this."

Berwick is preparing now for his silver jubilee as he writes the 25th pantomime to be shown at York's Theatre Royal.

Tickets go on sale from the box office on April 25.

Updated: 11:10 Thursday, April 17, 2003