Professor Jean Golding gets honorary degree at Bristol University

Prof Jean Golding (r) receives her honorary degree from the University of Bristol

The woman behind a world-renowned Bristol-based research study has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Bristol.

Prof Jean Golding, who founded the Children of the 90s project, was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree.

The project followed the lives of thousands of families in the 1990s and monitored a group of newborn children.

It is said to have made a huge contribution towards genetic research and the understanding of human health.

The ceremony took place at the Wills Memorial Building on Queen's Road, Clifton.

Deputy vice-chancellor Prof David Clarke said Prof Golding was the "exemplar of the qualities and values the institution promotes".

Prof Golding was recognised for her extensive epidemiology work through the Children of the 90s project, which is also known as ALSPAC.

More than 14,000 mothers enrolled during pregnancy in 1991 and 1992, and the health and development of their children has been followed ever since.

It has become a world-leader in genetic research, analysing the genome - or genetic blueprint - of thousands of participants.

Prof Golding's other honours include an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours list in 2012.