Cancer battling football legend bobby Robson honoured by his home city Durham

His full head of silver hair has now gone and his face lined by the strain of battling cancer for a fifth time.

But Sir Bobby Robson's warm smile lit up the room yesterday as he was made an honorary freeman of Durham.

Sir Bobby, 75, captured the heart of his home city by showing the same fighting spirit which made him a football legend.

He got a standing ovation at the town hall as the mayor told him: "You are one of our own. We are proud to have you in our midst."

Describing him as "a great man and a local hero", mayor Grenville Holland added: "Nobody is more deserving of the freedom of Durham than Sir Bobby Robson."

The former Newcastle and England boss, with wife Lady Elsie by his side, was given the honour for services to football and charity. He has raised more than £1million since he was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in 2007. He vowed to find treatments and set up a foundation in his name.

He was first diagnosed with cancer 16 years ago. On being told he had the disease for a fifth time he said: "It's not the greatest news I've ever had but I'll battle as I've always done.

"My last operation was a success but this time the doctors cannot operate.

I've been told to keep busy and active and that's what I'll do."

Sir Bobby began his football career while still at school in Langley Park, Durham.

He signed to Fulham in 1950 and went on to play for West Bromwich Albion and England. As a manager he won the FA Cup with Ipswich Town before taking England to the 1990 World Cup semi finals.

He was made a Freeman of Newcastle three years ago and granted the Freedom of Ipswich last year.

Sir Bobby's cancer foundation is funding a centre on Tyneside to research and treat the disease. To donate visit www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.co.uk .