HE was a true original in life - so it's no surprise that, in death, Tony Wilson is still a trailblazer.

The maverick broadcaster and music impresario is to have his name carved into the wall of Manchester town hall in an honour usually reserved for honorary freemen.

The council will declare next week that Mr Wilson would `undoubtedly' have been worthy of honorary freedom of the city had he still been alive.

Councillors have arranged a tribute that amounts to much the same thing.

They are expected to unanimously pass a motion saying Mr Wilson, who died of a heart attack as he fought cancer, will `always be known as Mr Manchester' and ask chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein to arrange for his name to be inscribed on the wall alongside the freemen of the city.

It is the first time such an honour has been given to a late Mancunian hero.

Only 75 individuals and six regiments have been given honorary freedom.

Mr Wilson's name will go alongside that of Sir Alex Ferguson (granted honorary freedom in 1999) and near Sir Matt Busby (1967) - both heroes of his beloved Manchester United.

The motion will say the council `wishes to record its deepest regrets on the sudden death of Tony Wilson'.

Honour

It adds: "Sadly the council cannot now admit him as an honorary freeman of the city, although his contribution to the city would undoubtedly merit this honour."

The council wants `a special memorial of appreciation to the outstanding contribution Tony Wilson made to the life of the city, its music and culture over many years'.

It will describe him as `the inspiration to a generation of young musicians who put Manchester centre stage in the world of music'.

"Many charitable and arts organisations across Greater Manchester called on Tony Wilson to support their efforts. He always responded."

And it says: "Tony Wilson will always be known as `Mr Manchester' because he was one of us and never left us."

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