THE freedom of the borough has been bestowed on the “disarmingly charming and wacky” man credited with making Bournemouth Air Festival such a success.

Commodore Jamie Miller has previously been presented with a medal from former US President George Bush as well as recognition from the Queen with a CBE for his service in the likes of Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and the Falklands.

And at a special December meeting of Bournemouth council, the naval regional commander was able to add being made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough to his burgeoning list of awards.

This sees him join a select group of the town’s luminaries, including Sir Merton and Lady Russell-Cotes, John Elmes Beale and Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts.

Council leader John Beesley said: “Without Commodore Miller’s vision, initiative, foresight and confidence in a group of people he had never previously met before 2008, we certainly would not have the substantial naval support and world-class event we enjoy today.

“Influential and integral, he has been the Royal Navy’s lynch pin in the festival and Bournemouth is delighted to have worked so successfully with him.

“By conferring this honour upon Commodore Miller, the council desire to acknowledge the indebtedness of the borough to him for the untiring and exceptional manner in which he has always supported the council in the development of the Bournemouth Air Festival.”

Seconding Cllr Beesley’s move to make Commodore Miller a Freeman, Cllr Anne Filer described him as “extraordinary”.

“He is such a disarmingly charming and slightly wacky man that we hit it off immediately and I am proud to consider him a friend,” she said.

She added that he is “adored and respected” by his family and can still be seen “stretching the imagination” of the young children he and his wife have fostered.

Following rapturous applause, Commodore Miller thanked the council for the honour and admitted Cllr Filer’s words had moved him to tears.

After paying tribute to everybody who makes the festival possible, he told members: “You have something very, very tangible, something very, very special – I am privileged to be part of it.”