Countryfile presenter given honorary doctorate

Matt Baker has been recognised by Durham University

Television presenter Matt Baker has received an honorary Doctor of Science from Durham University.

Baker, who fronts the BBC's Countryfile, met this year's graduates and described the honour as "a great privilege".

The university hopes having him at the graduation ceremony will inspire students to chase their ambitions.

Baker, who was born in Easington, said: "There is no doubt that Durham made me who I am, the community growing up around here."

'Change the world'

The former Blue Peter and One Show presenter added: I'm so grateful to this place and to get this honorary doctorate from this very place, its very special for me.

"I was up on that stage with some brilliant, brilliant minds that are going to go off and change the world.

"You sit through the whole ceremony, thinking of all the hard work and effort they have done, it's a great privilege for me to be up there."

Prof Russell Hill praised the achievements of "a local lad"

Prof Russell Hill, from the Department of Anthropology, said: "It's been fantastic to have Matt here today to recognise the achievements of a local lad that has done amazingly well.

"We also want to honour Matt's contribution to charity, as well as the work he's done highlighting a number of environmental projects."