Disability campaigner, Alan Benson, is to follow a select group of remarkable local individuals and institutions, to be offered the 'Freedom of the Borough'.

The honour, which is very rarely awarded, has previously gone to Sir David Attenborough and The Poppy Factory, which supports servicemen through the annual Poppy appeal.

Previous recipients also include the founders of the Orange Tree Theatre, Auriol Smith and Sam Walters, along with rugby stars Jason Leonard, Lawrence Dallaglio and Joe Worsley.

Mr Benson, who became an MBE in the New Year's Honours, is being recognised for his dedication to championing the rights of disabled adults and children, particularly in Richmond upon Thames.

He is a trustee of local charity Ruils - a charity run by and for disabled people supporting disabled children and adults - the elderly - to live independent lives.

He featured on the Shaw Trust's Disability Power 100 list of the most influential disabled people.

Alan also sits on the Board of Transport for All, London Travel Watch, and co-chairs the Department for Transport's Inclusive Transport Stakeholder Group.

Leader of Richmond Council, Cllr Gareth Roberts, said: "Alan has made a remarkable impact on the lives of disabled and older people, particularly in London.

"With a special interest in transport, Alan and the teams he works with have achieved many things for accessible transport across the city – in particular, ensuring the new Elizabeth line will be fully accessible from its first day."

Cllr Rob O'Carroll, Richmond Council's Disability Champion, said: "We are honoured to have Alan as a resident of our borough and are grateful for the work he does locally with Ruils, who play such an important role in helping disabled and older people live independently in Richmond upon Thames."

Alan has described the decision as an 'honour', while Ruils and Transport for All have both congratulated him for the well-deserved award.

The Freedom of the Borough is the highest award that Richmond Council can give to residents and recognises eminent services of local people to their Borough.

The award dates back to the middle-ages when Freemen had commercial privileges and a route into a position of power in a town or city. Today it is purely honorific.

At one time, Richmond Bridge carried a toll and it is likely that the Freemen of the borough would have had the right to use it – perhaps to drive their sheep over it - free of charge.