Lord Sainsbury elected Cambridge University chancellor

Lord Sainsbury of Turville is a member of the supermarket family and a former government minister

Lord Sainsbury of Turville will be the next Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, replacing the Duke of Edinburgh who stood down in June.

Lord Sainsbury will become the 108th chancellor in the university's history and was the official candidate.

He took 2,893 of the 5,558 votes cast, winning on the first count.

He was challenged by actor Brian Blessed (1,389), lawyer Michael Mansfield (964) and Cambridge grocer shop owner Abdul Arain (312).

A notice of the winning candidate was posted on a board outside the university's Senate House on Sunday.

The Duke of Edinburgh's decision to stand down after 34 years in the role came in the year he turned 90.

He said he was "winding down" his involvement with a number of organisations and charities.

The post is largely ceremonial and Lord Sainsbury was a front runner as a graduate of the university.

He had also donated millions of pounds towards a science research centre opened by the Queen.

On hearing of his election, Lord Sainsbury said: "I am delighted and honoured to have been elected as the next Chancellor of Cambridge University, and would like to thank all those who have supported me."

He congratulated the other candidates and said they had "made this such a friendly election".

"I am particularly pleased that the election did not turn into a battle between the arts and humanities and science, or between political parties.

"I look forward to championing the university in its entirety at home and abroad in the years ahead."