Mark Cavendish is to be presented with the illuminated address commemorating his award of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Douglas by His Worship the Mayor of Douglas, Councillor Ritchie McNicholl JP at a reception to be held on Thursday April 14 at Douglas Town Hall. The Manx-born multiple Tour de France stage winner, acknowledged as one of the world’s fastest sprint cyclists, joins an illustrious roll call of Honorary Freemen of the Borough that includes Sir Winston Churchill, the late Sir Norman Wisdom OBE, His Honour Deemster Jack Corrin CBE, Geoff Duke OBE, three former Mayors of Douglas, George Chatel MBE, Inkerman Faragher and the late Fred Kennish, and the Bee Gees. Council Leader Councillor David Christian JP said: ‘The Council is pleased to have the opportunity to present Mark Cavendish with his illuminated address and officially bestow on him the Honorary Freeman of the Borough in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of international cycle racing and his service as an ambassador for the Isle of Man. ‘It is especially fitting that the presentation to such a world-class Manx sporting personality should be taking place in the year when all eyes will be on the Isle of Man - and on Douglas in particular – when the Commonwealth Youth Games are held here in September and also at a time when excitement is mounting over the 2012 Olympic Games in which we wish him every success.’ Ends