GWENT boxing hero Joe Calzaghe is in line to become the first person to receive the Freedom of Caerphilly county borough.

Councillors discussed the matter at a cabinet meeting earlier this week and the issue will now be considered for final approval at a full council meeting on March 10.

The award for Freedom of the Caerphilly county borough is a new honour created to “acknowledge people of distinction who have rendered eminent services to the Caerphilly county borough.”

A spokesman for the council said if the award is given to Mr Calzaghe, it’s unlikely there will be any tangible benefits apart from the honour of receiving the gesture.

Leader of the council, Lindsay Whittle, said: "No one deserves to be honoured more than Joe Calzaghe. “He is unquestionably Wales' and the UK's greatest boxer and thoroughly deserves to be honoured by the county borough where he lives.”

Mr Whittle added that he has been overwhelmed by the strength of local public support to offer Joe Calzaghe the new honour.

Mr Calzaghe, 36, retired as the undefeated world super middleweight champion last month, after winning all 46 of his professional fights.

Councillor Allan Pritchard, deputy leader of the council, originally nominated the Newbridge boxer for the award in January 2008.

Mr Pritchard, who was a member of Newbridge Boxing Club when he was younger, said: "Joe's achievements during his professional boxing career have been outstanding and he has been an inspiration to people of all ages.”