Wolverhampton Wanderers and England football hero Billy Wright has had a Midland Metro tram named in tribute to him.

Centro, the region’s public transport authority held a special ceremony with guests of honour, Vicky and Kelly Wright – the sporting star’s daughter and granddaughter.

They unveiled a commemorative name plaque on tram number seven, which has been painted in the new silver and magenta Network West Midlands livery.

Several of Billy’s former Wolves and England team mates (see analysis) also attended the ceremony, which began at the Midland Metro depot in Wednesbury and concluded in Wolverhampton.

The decision to name the tram after Billy was made after Centro held a public vote to decide who would receive the honour.

The footballer defeated two other Black Country stars – Methodist preacher Francis Asbury and literary legend Jerome K Jerome – with an overwhelming majority of 90 per cent of the vote.

Councillor Gary Clarke, Chairman of Centro, said: “I used to attend all of Wolves home games when Billy was in his heyday. He truly was an inspirational local hero.

“I am proud and honoured to be naming a tram after him in recognition of his achievements and contribution to the West Midlands.”

As part of the ceremony, Derek Horton from Stafford drove the newly named tram after he was selected in a prize draw.

12 of the 16 vehicles have already been named in honour of other local legends.

Centro is now looking to name a further Midland Metro tram after a regional hero through another public vote, details of which will be available soon.

Since opening nine years ago Line One, which runs between Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton St Georges, has achieved 98 per cent reliability and is used by more than five million passengers a year – nearly a third of them former car users.