A WAR hero who sparked an international missing person search after he left his care home to visit Normandy for the D-Day anniversary received a special honour.

Bernard Jordan, who hit the headlines worldwide after he left The Pines care home in Hove to go to France, was made an honorary alderman of Brighton and Hove.

The 90-year-old was special guest in the mayor’s parlour yesterday afternoon where he received the honour.

Mr Jordan, who served as a Hove borough councillor for 23 years as well as serving as mayor in 1995/6, has joined a select group of former public servants to receive the honour.

Mayor Brian Fitch, who championed the award to be given to the Second World War hero, described the 90-year-old as “the nearest thing to a living legend that our city has”.

The title of honorary alderman is purely a mark of respect and is given to councillors with a minimum of 15 years service or 12 years service with a notable position.

He has joined 26 fellow councillors who have received the honour since 1997.