A NATIONAL press journalist once asked me why Liverpudlians call Wirral "that posh place over the water?"

He was curious about the character and identity of Wirral.

So I happily told him it had real history and filled him in on the Freedom of the Borough award which honours those who help put the peninsula on the map.

This September the honour is being granted to Royal Navy Submarine HMS Astute and the Wallasey Sea Cadets. Well done.

Let's recognise more Wirral success stories more frequently.

Liverpool has its Freedom of the City and its universities, which annually hand out cap and gowns via honorary degrees to famous names.

It's a real recognition for people in all fields of life. It lets the rest of the country know, too, that people are proud of where they are from.

Here at the Wirral Globe, we annually honour local unsung heroes and heroines and it is one of the most heart-warming, inspirational events.

So why don't the council honour more people who make Wirral proud?

Paul O'Grady is a real ambassador (I personally know how proud he is of his roots) as is Paul Hollywood of The Great British Bake-Off fame – both want to put something back into the borough.

And add to the list international superstar Charlie Landsborough who has taken his songs from Birkenhead pubs to Nashville.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in The Dark, fronted by Andy McCluskey, deserve a Wirral gong for services to music. And 007 Daniel Craig is someone to shout about.

Sir Ian Botham, cricket legend born in Heswall, should be appreciated not just for his sporting success but for his tire-less charity work and also actress Patricia Routledge (it is 25 years since she took on the role of Hyacinth Bouquet in Keeping Up Appearances).

Resident Mike McCartney is also a true Wirral supporter as is John Gorman.

Freedom of the Borough has rightly been given to magnificent people in the past who have achieved so much. I have read the roll call of honour and been amazed by their achievements.

So I ask – can Wirral Council expand it?

First of all I propose posthumous awards to two giants of poetry. Both are studied in schools.

Both loved Wirral. First World War wordsmith Wilfred Owen and 1960s legend Birkenhead-born Adrian Henri.

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WRITER and broadcaster John Keith is an expert on Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.

John told me how much he loves bringing his unique shows to New Brighton Floral Pavilion.

"I premiered my first tribute to Bob last year. It is truly a home from home."

It's a return fixture this Friday and what a line-up featuring Ian Callaghan, Phil Neal, Jimmy Case and Alan Kennedy.

He says his Q&A sessions always brings up a regular query – "Why was Bob Paisley never knighted?"

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ONE literary legend who inspired me as a writer was David Nobbs, who has died last week aged 80.

He created Reginald Perrin, played by Liverpool-born Leonard Rossiter. I feel that the writers seldom get the credit they deserve, just like Jim Hitchmough who wrote the Meols-based sitcom Watching.

I once had a great pie and pint with David and we talked about the people he had worked with. He was a great observer of life.

David told me of one occasion when Tommy Copper arrived at a script meeting and took off his famous fez and a whole load of Smarties scattered onto the floor.

"My dandruff is getting worse,” he said to a helpless David who quickly jotted down the sketch in his notebook.

Can telly bosses now show more of David's classic comedies please?

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AND finally...Talking of classics I was sad to hear of the departure of the great actor Stephen Lewis.

He played Inspector Blake in On the Buses who would berate Reg Varney's character with the catchphrase: "I 'ate you, Butler."

During one interview with him he had to go and gave me his phone number to call him the next day.

When I did, he picked up the phone and said in those dulcet tones: "Hello…I 'ate you Peter Grant."