Two local icons elated to receive highest accolade

Richard Ord and Jade Thirlwall - given the Freedom of South Tyneside

- By SAM VOLPE Health reporter

TWO South Tyneside icons received the borough's highest award.

Singer Jade Thirlwall - who goes by JADE - and Colman's fish and chip shop boss Richard Ord. The pair were honoured by borough council with the Freedom of South Tyneside.

The award was presented at a ceremony at the town hall in South Shields. During the ceremony, each spoke of the honour they felt receiving the award, while local councillors paid tribute to them, too.

In Jade's moving speech, she said: "I’m a proud Sanddancer from South Tyneside and no matter how far I travel, no matter where I perform in the world, it doesn’t compare to where I come from. Thank you."