Peter Levy awarded honorary doctorate

Peter Levy before the ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral

BBC News presenter Peter Levy has received an honorary doctorate from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln.

A university spokesperson said the doctorate was in recognition of his "outstanding contribution" to cultural life.

In a speech to graduates at a ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral earlier, Mr Levy said the award was "a great honour" and had come as "a real shock when I found out".

Mr Levy, who has presented Look North for East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire since 2002, added: "I can't wait to see [weather presenter] Paul Hudson's face when he sees the pictures from here on the TV tonight."

Mr Levy at the graduation ceremony

Mr Levy has been a broadcaster for 49 years and joined the BBC in 1987.

He has twice been named presenter of the year by the Royal Television Society in Yorkshire, and was given the Lord Mayor of Hull’s civic crown award for his charity work.

"I've been broadcasting five days a week, every week, since 1975, and I was hugely lucky that I ended up doing a job which has never actually felt like a job at all," he said.

The university's chancellor, Dr Tracy Borman, presented the doctorate to Mr Levy.

Describing him as a "local legend", she told the BBC: "Peter has been on our screens for decades and he's a very familiar and a very well-loved figure. So it's been a real pleasure to honour his contribution alongside all of this year's graduates.

Dr Borman presents the award to Mr Levy

Vice Chancellor Prof Karen Stanton said those chosen as honorary awardees were "beacons of achievement for our entire community".

Staff, students and members of the university council were invited to nominate candidates for honorary awards.

According to the university, honorary doctorates are awarded to "those who have made outstanding contributions to academic achievement, social, economic or cultural life".

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