LORD Hoyle has been honoured for two decades of campaigning for Gibraltar with the freedom of the Rock.

Ex-Warrington MP Douglas Hoyle, who lives in Adlington, will be granted the freedom of the city of Gibraltar on September 10, as part of the Rock's tercentenary celebrations. Son Lindsay, MP for Chorley and chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for Gibraltar, will be in the city to watch his father receive the honour from Chief Minister Peter Caruana.

The announcement comes as Gibraltar, a six km sq area on the southern-most tip of Spain, celebrates 300 years of independence.

Lord Hoyle said: "I've been involved with Gibraltar for many years and have defended their right to independence whenever it has been threatened so I'm very proud to be given the freedom of the city.

"I'm in good company as the Royal Navy were recently granted the freedom, though I'm not sure what it actually allows me to do apart from steer goats through Gibraltar!"