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River Wensum may be given Norwich freedom of city honour

A medieval city which owes its existence to a river is hoping to grant the waterway the Freedom of the City.

Norwich City Council wants to bestow the honour on the River Wensum, as part of an attempt to protect it.

Green group leader Lucy Galvin proposed the motion, saying it was threatened by invasive species and pollution.

If granted, the Wensum will join a list including art patrons Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury, playwright Arthur Miller and Norwich City Football Club.

River WensumRiver Wensum
Image caption, The river rises in north west Norfolk before passing through Norwich to join the Yare

The river was one of the main reasons the Anglo-Saxons created a settlement at Norwich and by 1066 it was one of the most important boroughs in England.