Sally Wainwright richly deserves freedom of Calderdale for spotlight Gentleman Jack, Happy Valley and Last Tango in Halifax have put on Yorkshire

Screenwriter Sally Wainwright is behind TV series including Gentleman Jack. Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

IT is no exaggeration to say that Sally Wainwright has brought the name of Calderdale to the attention of millions of people who might never otherwise have heard of it, let alone given it a thought.

Gentleman Jack writer Sally Wainwright: Why taking Anne Lister's diaries to TV is a labour of loveThis BAFTA award-winning writer’s television dramas, including Last Tango in Halifax, Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack, have all been huge ratings successes.

And the way the programmes have been rooted in Ms Wainwright’s home valley have given it a profile it probably would not otherwise have had.

Incredible effect of Gentleman Jack tourism on Yorkshire revealed as Shibden Hall prepares to close for winterThis has been a great boost for Yorkshire as a whole, bringing in tourists and alerting film and TV companies to our county’s potential as a location for future productions.

Gentleman Jack has boosted tourism in Calderdale including at Anne Lister's former home Shibden Hall.

Whether town, country or coast, we have it all to offer. Ms Wainwright richly deserves the freedom of Calderdale. We hope she enjoys the honour, and the thanks it represents.

New visitor attractions at Shibden Hall to be opened for Gentleman Jack fansAnd millions will also hope to see another series from her soon.

Sally Wainwright richly deserves freedom of Calderdale for spotlight Gentleman Jack, Happy Valley and Last Tango in Halifax have put on Yorkshire - The Yorkshire Post says