HELENSBURGH'S Paralympic and Grand Slam wheelchair tennis hero Gordon Reid has been made an honorary freeman of Argyll and Bute at a ceremony in his home town.

The honour was conferred on Gordon just days after he climbed to number one in the year-end world rankings and after an amazing 2016 in which he won Paralympic gold and silver medals and triumphed at the Australian Open and in both the singles and doubles at Wimbledon.

Gordon's family and friends watched on with pride at Wednesday's ceremony at the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre - officially opened by Gordon himself earlier this year.

"It's a huge honour for me to stand here in a room full of so many people who have been such a big part of my tennis career and my life," Gordon said.

"Being only the second person to receive this award reminds me how special it is, and I will cherish it with pride."

The only other individual to receive the Freedom of Argyll and Bute, Helensburgh resident and former Argyll and Bute provost Billy Petrie, was also among those who attended Wednesday's ceremony.

* More in the next issue of the Helensburgh Advertiser - on sale on Thursday, December 15.