OVER THE MOON: Accrington soap star Julie Hesmondhalgh given Freedom of Hyndburn

The 44-year-old actress, best known for her award-winning portrayal of Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, became the 20th person to be given the title of Honorary Freeman of the Borough — the council’s highest honour.

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She was presented with a framed certificate after signing the Freedom of the Borough book in the Coppice Theatre at Accrington & Rossendale College, where she used to study.

Julie said: “I am really, really happy about it. It is a lovely honour to have. The first I heard about it was when (Maundy Relief founder) Dorothy McGregor got it a few years ago.

“I am over the moon at getting the honour and so are all of my family.”

Cllr Ken Moss, Hyndburn’s leisure and arts boss, said: “Julie is a local lass who has never forgotten her roots and has done some incredible work locally supporting the Maundy Relief charity.

"We wanted to recognise her achievements at both local and national level — and what better time to do it, with her portrayal of the death of Hayley Cropper receiving industry-wide recognition?”

Julie was born in Accrington and studied at Hyndburn Park Primary School, Moorhead High School and Accrington & Rossendale College. Youngsters from her former schools performed at the ceremony.

One amateur dramatics group, members of the Civic Arts Centre in Oswaldtwistle, performed The Life Of Hayley Cropper show.

Pupils from Hyndburn Park gave a presentation, and youngsters from the Hyndburn Youth Council, Accrington Academy, and St Christopher’s Church of England High School were among those also performing.

Julie was reunited with some of her former teachers.

After moving to London in the 1980s to study music and drama, Julie found national fame in the long-running ITV soap. Her character took her own life after struggling with terminal pancreatic cancer in a storyline that saw Julie win the National Television Awards’ trophy for best serial drama performance. She was also crowned best actress at the 2014 British Soap Awards.

Other notable Hyndburn residents to be given the title of Honorary Freeman of the Borough include runner Ron Hill, ex-mayor Ted Hill and Accrington Pals historian Bill Turner.

Cllr Moss said: “The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour we can bestow, and Julie Hesmondhalgh is a worthy recipient. She is a wonderful ambassador for this borough and we want to recognise her outstanding achievements at local and national level with this award.”