Oscar-winner Rachel Shenton accepts honorary doctorate

Rachel Shenton has become an honorary Doctor of Arts at Staffordshire University

Oscar-winner Rachel Shenton has received an honorary degree from Staffordshire University.

The actress and producer picked up an Academy award in 2018 for The Silent Child, a short film which dealt with issues surrounding deafness.

At a ceremony at in Stoke-on-Trent she was made a doctorate of arts in recognition of her campaign work on behalf of deaf people.

Shenton described the award from her "home" university as "extra special".

"It was such a wonderful feeling," she said.

When she was 12, Ms Shenton's father became deaf following cancer treatment.

She learnt sign language, and became an ambassador for the National Deaf Children's Society.

The actress is also patron of charity Deaflinks Staffordshire.

The degree also acknowledged how the actress had helped develop aspiring actors by establishing the Midlands Screen Acting School.