ONE of the region's leading churchmen has received an honorary degree to mark his contribution to North-East life.

Former Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle the Right Reverend Ambrose Griffiths has been awarded an honorary doctorate of civil law from Northumbria University.

Bishop Griffiths, who retired in March after 12 years on Tyneside to return to his former parish, in Lancashire, is a former member of the Benedictine community at Ampleforth Abbey, North Yorkshire.

After studying theology in Rome, he returned to Ampleforth, where he was ordained in July 1957. He went on to teach science, religious education and woodwork at Ampleforth College for 14 years.

In 1976, he was elected Abbot of Ampleforth and was in charge of the abbey for eight years.

In 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed him as the 11th Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, to succeed Bishop Hugh Lindsay, who resigned due to ill health.

Northumbria University vice-chancellor Professor Kel Fidler said: "Bishop Ambrose Griffiths is an excellent role model for our graduates. He is brilliant scholar with an analytical mind, but understands that true success can only be achieved by working with people. That is a fantastic message for our graduates as they embark on their new careers.