Johnny Depp Snubbed by "Pirate" Town  9/28/06

Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp has been refused freedom of a British coastal town, despite his fictional seafaring expertise playing Captain Jack Sparrow.

The actor's PR company approached historic Falmouth - home of England's first female pirate - to request the honor, but were turned down after a lengthy debate.

Local councilor Mike Varney says, "There are many other people who are residents of Falmouth who are more deserving of such an honor."

However, the town's mayor Roger Bonney, who supported Depp's petition, counters, "This could be really great for Falmouth and could help put us on the map and bring more visitors."

Under old laws freedom of the town would have given Depp the right to park a horse-and-cart outside the Town Hall and drive his sheep on market days.

The actor was eventually awarded a lesser honor by the council.