A FUNDRAISING busker from Marske is to receive the freedom of the borough next week.

Norman Evans, 66, who has raised more than £250,000 for charity over the last 25 years, will receive the honour at Gisborough Hall, Guisborough, on Tuesday morning.

Mr Evans can be seen regularly playing his accordion in Redcar High Street and has promised to take his musical instrument along to the ceremony.

His charity efforts were recognised with an MBE in 1998.

He said: "Receiving the MBE was just unreal. It made me feel as though everything had a purpose in my life.

"Now, I'm getting the same feeling. It's nice to be recognised by the Queen, but it's just as nice to be recognised by the people in your home town."

Mr Evans has been confined to a wheelchair since contracting multiple sclerosis as a young man, and has devoted his life to playing music and helping others.

He said: "Music to me is my life. It keeps me alive. I spend every minute of the day playing and listening, learning.

"I've got a shed-full of music and I just love entertaining people. By me giving joy to them, they give joy to me."

He added: "When I was asked to collect for MS a lot of years ago by shaking a tin, I said 'No - I'll play my accordion'. It proved very successful and the money came rolling in."

He becomes only the sixth person to receive the freedom of Redcar and Cleveland, following Disabled Olympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, who collected the award in January.

The motion to recommend Mr Evans for the Freedom of the Borough will be proposed by Coun Vilma Collins.

Coun Collins said: "I think Norman is remarkable. His achievements have been tremendous, battling against adversity to help dozens of good causes, locally."