10:47AM, Wed Jul 25, 2012

Angel Of The North Sculptor Gets Freedom Of Gateshead

By Ruth Holliday & Joe Daunt Location: Gateshead

Video: Meet the new Freemen of Gateshead

Antony Gormley, the man who gave us the Angel of The North, has been given the freedom of Gateshead.

The Turner Prize winning artist is joined by the founders of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Sune Nordgren and Alan Smith, in receiving the honour.

Gormley's sculpture, which is 20m tall and has a 54m wingspan, has become one of Britain's most recognisable landmarks.

Along with the South Shore developments, including Baltic and the Sage music centre, it has played a major role in raising the profile of Gateshead around the world.

The honours were bestowed to coincide with Baltic's 10th anniversary.

The Freedom of the Borough does not carry with it any rights, benefits or privileges, but it is the most significant honour that Gateshead Council can confer on any individual.

Existing Freemen of the Borough include Jonathan Edwards, Brendan Foster, Mike Neville, Bob Moncur and Sir John Hall.

Work on the Angel began in 1994 and was completed in 1998. Most of the £1m cost was met by National Lottery funding.

It stands on the edge of the Low Fell area of Gateshead and is visible from the A1 and the East Coast Main Line.