CALLS have been made for local hero Mark Williams to be given the freedom of his home county after bagging his third World Snooker Championship.

Snooker legend Mark Williams, 43, withstood an incredible fightback from John Higgins to land his third Crucible title on Monday night.

The man known as the Welsh Potting Machine marked the occasion by appearing completely naked for a press conference after the final.

Now calls are growing for Williams, a native of Cwm, Blaenau Gwent, to be given the Freedom of the Borough in honour of his spectacular sporting achievements.

Councillor and Labour Group Secretary Hedley McCarthy, 64, also of Cwm, is leading the calls for Williams to be granted the prestigious award, which is the highest honour you can get from the local authority.

Cllr McCarthy, who twice served as leader of the council from 2007-8 and 2012-15, sent in a nomination to the local authority’s managing director, Michelle Morris.

The nomination reads: “In recognition of Mark Williams becoming the world champion for the third time, a remarkable achievement, we believe this citizen of Blaenau Gwent should be offered the Freedom of the County Borough.”

Speaking to the Argus, Cllr McCarthy said: “I think such an award would be richly deserved after winning the World Snooker Championship for the third time.

“There’s obviously a process to be followed but I believe he should get it because he’s pulled off a remarkable achievement.

“I would have thought this nomination would get lots of local support, as its attended to celebrate the achievements and service of local people.

“You can’t get much better than winning the world championship three times really.”

Cllr McCarthy made the nomination today (Thursday, May 10). A cross-party panel of five councillors will now consider the merits of Mark Williams’s nomination.

If the nomination is successful, the presentation will be made in an ‘Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Council’.

A spokesman for Blaenau Gwent Council said: “Blaenau Gwent Council would like to congratulate Mark Williams on winning the World Snooker Championship for the third time last weekend.

“This is a fantastic achievement for Mark personally and he deserves all the praise and credit he has received. It shows that hard work, commitment and practice pays off.

“The Freedom of the Borough is the title honorary given to any person or organisation of distinction and who has rendered outstanding services to the borough. The Freedom is the highest tribute a borough can give and is bestowed on very few people.

“Given the prestige of the award there is a formal process that needs to be considered by Members. Should the Council receive a formal application from a serving elected Member then the Council will be more than happy to consider this in line with its procedures.”