A regional daily’s 160th anniversary is being recognised by its local council with the paper to be awarded the Freedom of the City.

The honour is due to be given to The Sentinel by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to mark its milestone birthday and in recognition of its campaigning work in the community.

The move is set to be approved by councillors at a meeting next month at which the same accolade is expected to be given to Stoke-born pop star Robbie Williams.

The Freedom of the City is the highest honour which the local authority can bestow on a person or organisation but does not carry any specific priviledges with it.

The Sentinel told readers about its honour on the front page.

In a story about the award, editor Richard Bowyer said: “For the last 160 years The Sentinel has been a trusted source of local news.

“Year in, year out we have been proud to campaign for and on behalf of the community of North Staffordshire and South Cheshire.

“We have been at the forefront of dozens of campaigns fighting for our community, fighting for justice and fighting to promote the amazing people that live in our area. We are delighted that the city council has said that, in our 160th year, we are to receive this honour.”

Richard is the 13th editor of The Sentinel, which was founded in 1854, and it is understood only a small number of regional newspapers have been awarded such honours by their local authorities.

Council leader Mohammed Pervez said: “The Sentinel has made an enormous contribution to the life of the city over the last 160 years. Whatever your political views the paper provides a challenge and a chamber for debate, and has acted as a temperature gauge on local opinion.”