BURNLEY'S sound equipment whizz-kid Mark Crabtree has officially received the freedom of the borough at a special ceremony.

The founder of AMS Neve - whose specialist equipment is behind Oscar-winning film soundtracks and hit records - received his award from Mayor of Burnley Cllr Mark Townsend.

Former borough first citizen and former Padiham councillor Andy Tatchell was made an alderman of Burnley at the same ceremony in the town's Mechanics Theatre on Wednesday night.

Mr Crabtree, whose firm - based in the town’s Billington Road - has provided the soundtracks for countless films including James Bond blockbusters , said: "I’m enormously proud to receive this great honour from my home borough of Burnley.

"We have all played our part in bringing back Burnley to its current state.

"Now we have to focus on sustainability. Young people are the future of our great town."

Mr Tatchell first became a councillor in 1999 representing Hapton with Park ward before being elected in Gawthorpe in 2003 where he remained as councillor until his retirement in May 2021.

He said: "It gives me great pleasure to accept the award of Alderman of Burnley, especially as it is bestowed by fellow councillors of all parties who I worked with for many, many years."

Cllr Townsend said: "It was an honour to present these award to two worthy recipients. They are both great ambassadors for the borough."