NHS heroes in Northern Ireland will get a council's top honour - and the right to drive sheep through its city centre.
Lisburn and Castlereagh Council has voted to give health workers - and support staff - Freedom of the City for 2021.
The local authority's highest accolade allows the recipient to herd livestock in town.
DUP Cllr James Tinsley, who brought the motion, said health workers had worked tirelessly, 24/7 for "decades and decades".
He added: "I would say there’s very few families throughout Northern Ireland who don’t have someone in their family involved in healthcare, from cleaners, to porters right up to the senior consultant.
"There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes."
He added: "As the Clap for the NHS stops this week the freedom will be a lasting legacy."
The motion passed unanimously.
It was also suggested to mark the day with a garden party at Hillsborough Castle.
Alliance's Aaron McIntyre spoke of the work of his wife, a doctor, and his cousin - a nurse who just last week tested positive for Covid-19.
He added: "Our healthcare professionals have given so much during this crisis; living away from their own families to protect them, working overtime to cover shifts and tragically some have lost their lives treating the most vulnerable.
"Awarding Freedom of the City to the NHS is a small way in which this council can thank our healthcare workers, and together all of our parties represented here can jointly work at the Assembly to support the NHS."
This year the the honour went to Alderman Jim Dillon MBE JP, Mrs Geraldine Rice MBE and Mr Tommy Jeffers.
Ald Dillon, who has served in local government for more than four decades, chose to exercise his right as freeman to herd livestock - and drove a flock of his neighbour's sheep across Jubilee Bridge.
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