The Victoria Cross hero who unveiled Hounslow's newest war memorial is to be awarded the freedom of the borough next week.

Lance Sergeant Johnson Beharry will be made a freeman of the borough next Tuesday (September 16), ahead of that evening's borough council meeting.

Mr Beharry was awarded the VC, the UK's highest military honour after twice risking his life to rescue ambushed comrades in Iraq a decade ago.

He unveiled a new war memorial in Hounslow High Street at a ceremony last month to remember those killed in the First World War.

Council leader Steve Curran, who recommended Mr Beharry for the honour, said: "Johnson Beharry VC is a distinguished former resident of the borough and has served this country with honour as a soldier, having shown great courage and gallantry in the line of duty."

Mr Beharry is due to receive the honour in person at 7pm in the council chamber at Hounslow Civic Centre, in Lampton Road, Hounslow.

Olympic heroes Mo Farah and Pete Reed were the last people to be awarded the freedom of Hounslow borough, back in 2012.

Previous freemen of the borough include Gurkha VC holders Tul Bahadur Pun and Lachhiman Gurung , both of whom have since passed away.

In years gone by the freedom of the borough gave recipients certain privileges, like exemptions from tolls or the right to drive one's sheep through the town, but these days it is a largely symbolic title.

However, when the honour was conferred on the Second Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, then based at Hounslow Cavalry Barracks, in 2009 it came with the right to march through the borough 'with drums beating, flags flying and bayonets fixed'.

It was a privilege they duly exercised later that day on their homecoming parade from Afghanistan.