A veteran journalist who nearly lost her life in a road accident last year has received the freedom of her local borough.

Civic leaders honoured 80-year-old Surrey Comet features editor June Sampson who suffered serious injuries in the accident in November.

June, pictured, received a commemorative scroll conferring on her the freedom of Kingston borough at a ceremony last week.

Town hall bosses had decided to award her the honour before last year’s accident in recognition of her 40-year career at the paper.

Comet editor David Rankin said: “June Sampson in the past few months has proved herself nothing short of a minor miracle, but for those who have had the honour of working with her for many years her skills, passion and dedication have not gone unnoticed.

“Her love of Kingston, both past and present, are unparalleled and I would like to thank her for all she has done for the borough, and Kingston Council, for bestowing this incredible honour.”

Added June: “‘I never realised until this award how much influence I had as a journalist. In hospital I thought it was a consolation for having had an accident and I was overjoyed to realise it was in recognition of my passion for Kingston.

“I’ve always been a little bit in love with the town and was lucky to have had the Comet as a medium to express it.”