Freedom of Chichester award is '˜a huge honour' for spaceman Tim Peake

Mayor Peter Evens presents a certificate to astronaut Tim Peake after he received the freedom honour in Chichester. Picture by Andrew Matthew / PA

Major Peake – who spent six months in space from December, 2015 – was bestowed the honour at the city’s Festival Theatre yesterday.

The award is the highest Chichester City Council can grant.

Reflecting on the experience, Maj Peake told The News: ‘It was a huge honour to receive the award.

‘I was born in Chichester and I spent many years going to school there.

‘So as well as receiving the honour, it was a great opportunity to be able to say thank you to the many people in the local area who helped me on my journey.’

Tickets for the event – which also saw Maj Peake touch on his time in space for the European Space Agency’s Principia mission – were snapped up in just 11 minutes on February 5.

Maj Peake added: ‘I never feel like a big deal but I was very surprised.

‘Living over in Germany or in Houston, I live in complete anonymity so it always shocks me when I come back to the UK and people are excited and interested and I get recognised so much.

‘Everybody has been really supportive and enthusiastic about my mission and that’s really wonderful.’

Maj Peake was given the honour by Chichester Mayor Peter Evans.

He also staged a Q&A and a meet and greet for his fans attending the event.