World Champion Michael Smith received the freedom of St Helens in a special ceremony at St Helens Town Hall on Thursday.

The ceremony saw the world number one presented with a Freedom of the Borough scroll alongside rugby league star James Roby, Marie Rimmer CBE – MP for St Helens South and Whiston – and the Duke of Lancaster regiment.

Smith conquered the darting world in January with a sensational 7-4 victory against Michael van Gerwen at London’s Alexandra Palace, in a contest which generated global headlines.

The 33-year-old produced the performance of his life to scoop the sport’s biggest prize, landing a stunning nine-darter in a leg dubbed the greatest of all-time, after Van Gerwen had also missed double 12 for perfection moments earlier.

“This is such an honour to be recognised for what I do,” insisted Smith, who will make his 13th World Darts Championship appearance later this month.

“Darts is not just a pub sport anymore; it’s an actual sport, and now to be given the highest honour I can get, it’s an unbelievable achievement for me as well as my family, and I just want to say thank you.  

“Receiving the Freedom of the Borough feels special – it’s hard to put into words but it’s a massive thing for me and my family to be recognised for my job by the people of St Helens.”

St Helens Borough Council Leader David Baines said: “I am honoured to present these four outstanding recipients with the highest honour a council and borough can give.  

“Their efforts in service to our communities are each remarkable in their own ways and on behalf of the council and the people of St Helens Borough, I thank them and congratulate them on a well-deserved recognition.”

Mayor of St Helens Borough, Councillor Lynn Clarke added: “It’s been a tremendous evening. I’m really proud to have been involved in presenting the Freedom of the Borough scrolls to our very worthy recipients.

“Everything they have achieved has been recognised by the council and we are really pleased that they have accepted their honours on what was a historic occasion.”

Smith will begin his defence of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship on Friday December 15, when he takes on either Kevin Doets or Grand Slam quarter-finalist Stowe Buntz on the tournament’s opening night.

The former Grand Slam champion is bidding to become only the fourth player in PDC history to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy, as he aims to follow in the footsteps of Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson.