CAMPAIGNER Sir Bob Geldof received an antique book from Faversham town councillors and said he "treasured" them for giving it to him.

The former Boomtown Rats rock star was given the book in recognition of his Make Poverty History campaign.

And he said he was delighted with Jacobs History of Faversham which Laurence Young, subsidiarity officer at Swale Borough Council arranged to buy for him.

Sir Bob said: "I know the book very well. I have a tattered, lousy copy in the Priory.

"Laurence and I sit and bore each other with facts about Faversham. I treasure it and I treasure the town and I treasure you all for doing this."

The town’s most famous resident turned up at the Mayor’s Parlour in the Alexander Centre with his partner Jeanne Marine, one of his daughter’s, Pixie, and former wife Paula Yates’ daughter Tiger.

Looking unusually smart, he chatted to town councillors and invited guests before Faversham Mayor Cllr Mick Gates presented him with the book.

The Mayor said: "Bob has been a resident for a long time and become a very high-profile personality with Live 8. But he didn’t turn his back on the town."

He said the idea of making the presentation came from people in the street and the pubs who felt that Sir Bob has lived in the town for 23 years and his achievements should be recognised.

At the reception, Sir Bob said that he saw Faversham as home and planned to spend Christmas here.

"Last year I couldn’t spend much time here for obvious reasons, but this is where I choose to be.

"It’s just 'Hi Bob' when I go into town because I’ve been living here longer than most people. I love the house and the people. I like going to the Shipwrights and the small shops in town."