Cowboy boots were optional when chart star Phil Collins was made an honorary Texan.

The drummer-turned-singer was recognised by the US state after he donated a vast collection of historical artefacts related to the siege of the Alamo.

Phil Collins peeks into the Senate Chambers in Austin
Phil Collins peeks into the Senate Chambers in Austin (Rodolfo Gonzalez/Austin American-Statesman)

The battle was central to the struggle of settlers fighting for their independence from Mexico and led to Texas eventually joining the US.

Politicians at the state legislature made the singer, who shot to fame in Genesis before embarking on an internationally successful solo career, an honorary Texan.

Representative Lyle Larson told them Phil’s interest in the Alamo started “as a boy while watching the classic Walt Disney television series Davy Crockett, King Of The Wild Frontier”.

Phil Collins is applauded in the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol
Phil Collins is applauded in the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol (Eric Gay/AP)

His collection of memorabilia included prized items such as “a rifle and leather pouch owned by David Crockett and a knife carried in battle by Jim Bowie” as well as hundreds of documents.

The Londoner scored a string of huge hits in the 1980s and 1990s including In The Air Tonight and Sussudio, as well as playing Great Train Robber Buster Edwards in a film of his life.