Artist Tracey Emin has joined the likes of Sir Winston Churchill after being officially presented with the freedom of Margate.

Dressed in a specially designed robe - and wearing a pair of Crocs on her feet - she was given the accolade in recognition of her international acclaim as an artist and her "investment in the cultural and physical environment" of the town.

The 59-year-old grew up in the town before hitting the big time as one of the most recognisable iconic young British artists in the 1990s.

She remains perhaps best known for 1999's My Bed - a Turner-Prize nominated installation which, as the name suggests, pictured her grubby bed after she spent a troubled four days confined to it, not eating but only drinking alcohol. It was as controversial as it was thought-provoking.

When it went up for auction in 2014, it sold for £2.5m.

She announced she was returning to her home town in 2017 and has since converted the former Thanet Press site in Union Crescent into an artist studio and accommodation.

It was there, earlier this year, she held her acclaimed Journey to Death exhibition - an often troubling selection of images created as she battled bladder cancer in 2020. She continues her recovery.

In January. she snapped up a former mortuary and Victorian bath house on the corner of Dane Road and Victoria Road in the town and plans to turn the site into an art school and mini museum.

To recognise her investment and success, the Margate Charter Trustees conferred the artist with the title of Honorary Freewoman of Margate.

She becomes only the fourth woman to ever receive the honour and the first person in 50 years to be granted the title.

Cllr Heather Keen, Mayor of Margate said: “The Margate Charter Trustees really wanted to recognise Tracey’s contributions to the town, both for her artistic and philanthropic work.

"Tracey has spoken openly about returning to Margate and making it her home, and this seemed like a fitting honour, borne from an original suggestion by Cllr Mick Tomlinson."

Ms Emin said: "I've always loved Margate and championed it as a place, but now I can honestly say I'm very proud of all the changes that are happening here.

"I'm very happy that I returned to be part of it. I'd love to see Margate become the European town of culture in 2030."

Cllr Ash Ashbee, leader of Thanet District Council added: “Margate is flourishing as a centre of creativity and the fact that Tracey Emin is now living and working here can only help to increase Margate’s profile and further help the regeneration of the town."

The Margate Charter Trustees commissioned a traditional robe in Margate’s town colours, which Ms Emin wore along with a badge and specially commissioned ‘jabot’, or ornamental ruffle.

The jabot was designed and made by Stacey Chapman, a local artist who specialises in working in textiles.

Ms Emin’s name will be added to the Margate Charter Trustees’ Honours Board, alongside the likes of Winston Churchill who became a Freeman of Margate in 1957.

The ability to bestow the honour of Freeman or Freewoman was lost after a change in the Local Government Act in 1972 - but restored in 2010.

The Charter Trustees are responsible for ensuring the continuance of the historical, ceremonial and social links of the town.