CIVIC leaders are to be urged to make a York sporting hero an honorary Freeman of the city.

York-born Steve Webster, 44, who now lives at Easingwold, is the current world sidecar champion, after winning his ninth world title in September last year.

Coun Brian Watson has tabled a motion to the full City of York Council on Tuesday, requesting that members agree to a special meeting to confer the status on Mr Webster.

The proposal comes after Evening Press sports columnist Tony Kelly called for a civic reception to honour the city's sporting superstar.

Coun Watson said he hoped that the honour could be finalised as soon as possible, while Mr Webster was still enjoying his world championship status.

He said: "He's done so much to promote the city. He's about our best sports person.

"It's important that we do it now, while he's still world champion.

"I think he's good for the city and he's good for sport."

He said: "And it's one of the few sports that hasn't been polluted by money or drugs."

Mr Webster, who is currently on holiday in Austria, told the Evening Press that he was "very touched" by the proposal.

"Does it mean I can run around York doing what I like?" he joked.

But he said: "I think it's smashing. To get an honour like that is great and I am very touched.

"It's good when you get recognised from outside the world of sport.

"Being from York, it's great even to be put forward for something like that.

"Motorcycling gets a bit of a bad name sometimes. It's good when something good comes out of it."

Mr Webster made his debut in 1983, and has raced in 21 seasons since.

He has raced with four different sidecar passengers, winning his latest world championship in France with passenger Paul Woodhead.

Updated: 09:12 Saturday, February 21, 2004