Freedom of borough for golden girl

Homecoming celebration at Oldham Leisure Centre for Olympic Gold medal winner Nicola White, part of the women's hockey team who won Gold in Rio.

OLDHAM councillors unanimously voted to support Olympic gold winner Nicola White's nomination for Freedom of the Borough.

Council leader Jean Stretton proposed the motion last night in support of the hockey star (pictured) who won gold with the Great Britain team in Rio last month.

A special ceremony would be held to bestow the honour on the former Hulme Grammar School pupil who also won a bronze at London 2012.

Proud

The 28-year-old is Oldham's first gold medallist since swimmer Henry Taylor took triple gold at the London games way back in 1908.

Councillor Stretton said: "Nicola is based in London because she plays her club hockey for Holcombe but she always calls Oldham and Saddleworth her home, visits her family and friends here as regularly as she can and is proud to be associated with the borough.

"We are even more proud to be associated with her."