Concerns raised over £17k cost for Noddy Holder Walsall freeman honour

But some concerns were raised about the £17,000 cost of conferring the honour on the singer.

It comes at a time when Walsall Council is looking to save £19 million from its budget.

If he accepts, the musician will become only the 21st person to receive the privilege in 109 years.

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The council last night voted unanimously to approach the star.

Apart from Three Men In A Boat author Jerome K. Jerome, the honour has been bestowed exclusively on politicians or military regiments since 1975.

The invitation is being made on the 40th anniversary of the release of Merry Xmas Everybody which went to No 1 and stayed in the charts until February 1974.

Noddy Holder in action with Slade on Top of the Pops

Councillor Pete Smith, who has led the campaign, said the frontman should be celebrated both for his achievements with the band and his charity ties with the town.

He said: "We've seen Lenny Henry honoured in Dudley and Frank Skinner and Julie Walters in Sandwell and the time has come to confer the same honour on Noddy Holder. It is reserved for those who have made an extraordinary contribution to the borough and he fits the bill.

"With Slade, he's had 17 consecutive top 20 hits and has helped to put Walsall on the map. Despite not having lived in the town for many years, he still refers to Walsall as home

Councillor Smith argued that the 67-year-old singer had also helped to boost the borough's tourism income through pilgrimages by Slade fans to Holder's former home on the Beechdale estate and other places associated with him.

The star was born in Newhall Street in Caldmore and made his first stage appearance at Walsall Labour Club when he sang the Frankie Laine hit I Believe. He attended TP Riley School in Bloxwich and returns periodically to give talks to local college students.

But Councillor Ann Young called the timing of the invitation 'inappropriate' when the elderly were struggling to pay heating bills and many tenants faced hikes in rent because of the government's bedroom tax.

Councillor Tim Oliver said: "Conferring the honour comes at a cost.

"We don't want it to become a popularity contest."

In October this year, Lenny Henry was given the freedom of the borough of Dudley. The comic and thespian was given the honour at a special ceremony.