FACTORY worker John Singleton, who secured a place in the Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool with borrowed clubs, has been given civic recognition for his achievement.

Thirty-year-old John, from Moreton, was given two weeks off from his job in Birkenhead to compete at Hoylake, where he held his own against a world class field, though he failed to qualify for the final stages of the tournament.

His efforts were recognised at a mayoral reception at Wallasey town hall by Wirral’s mayor Cllr Steve Foulkes.

The mayor said he was a “fine ambassador” for the peninsula, whose story had captured the attention of the world.

Eastham Lodge Golf Club member John was accompanied by George Nicholson, whose clubs he borrowed.

He said the support he had received from local people would always have a special place in his heart Cllr Foulkes said: "The Open 2014 was a fantastic event and a great shop window for Wirral.

"John was an excellent ambassador for the area and his story captured the attention of the world.

"The mayoress and I wanted to invite him here to personally say ‘thank you’ and wish him all the best for the future."