CITIZEN C.SMITH

Comedian becomes fifth woman to be given honour | Rab C Nesbitt icon opens up on pressure to be success

- BY PAUL ENGLISH

ELAINE C Smith has vowed to be a champion for citizens as she becomes the first woman to be given the Freedom of Glasgow in 50 years.

At a glittering ceremony tomorrow, the veteran actress will become only the fifth woman in 850 years to be handed the honour.

The Freedom of Glasgow is an ancient title given to the city's most notable sons and daughters - but Elaine is keen to use her new status to benefit those in need.

She said: "The one thing I would change in Glasgow is poverty. We should have a party called the Anti Poverty Party. It would alter the lives of so many people here and benefit the rest of us as well, not having kids going to school who hadn't eaten anything. An absolute disgrace in this day and age."

The Two Doors Down star also wants to bring the River Clyde back into the city's heart.

Elaine said: "I was in Newcastle recently and they have markets right along the river. That was an industrial river, like ours, and they have done a great job revitalising it. Whatever deals have been done down there might be hard to undo but there should be ways to improve that part of the city."

Elaine admits she didn't think she deserved to become the fifth woman in 850 years to be given the Freedom of Glasgow - because that's how many women react to praise.