Freedom of the Borough granted to former residents of Barking and Dagenham
Paul Ince and Sandie Shaw given the honour.
A number of people from Barking and Dagenham have been given the Freedom of the Borough, including singer Sandie Shaw and footballer Paul Ince.
Shaw won eurovision for Britain for the first time is being honoured for her contribution to the arts, while Ince is being honoured for his anti-racism campaigning.
The 53 year old former West Ham player, was the first black captain for England.
Social activist Dora Challingsworth and acting chief executive of the council Claire Symonds were also given the honour.
Challingsworth was also nominated for her campaign work. She led the women workers at Dagenham’s Ford factory on strike in 1984 and fought for them to be classified and paid as skilled workers.
Symonds was recognised for the work she has carried for the council during the coronavirus pandemic.
Council deputy leader Saima Ashraf said: “All of them are an inspiration to not only our community here in Barking and Dagenham, but people everywhere.
“I would like to personally thank them for all their good work, and I hope that they thoroughly enjoyed receiving their awards.”