THE man who has given hundreds of childless couples the gift of life was in the region to receive an honorary degree yesterday.

Sunderland University chancellor Lord David Puttnam presented international fertility expert Lord Robert Winston with an honorary Doctorate of Science from Sunderland University, at a ceremony in the city's Empire Theatre.

Lord Winston is well known for his award-winning television series, including Your Life in Their Hands, The Human Body, and Walking with Cavemen.

He is also professor of Fertility Studies at Imperial College, London University, and director of NHS Research and Development for Hammersmith Hospital NHS Trust.

His parliamentary activities include speaking regularly on education, science, medicine and the arts.

His contribution to clinical medicine includes developments in gynaecological microsurgery in the 1970s and his team has made improvements in reproductive medicine which have been adopted internationally.

He is one of seven senior figures who will receive honorary awards from Lord Puttnam this week.

England's chief pharmaceutical officer, Dr Jim Smith, a graduate of the university's forerunner Sunderland Polytechnic, is to receive an honorary Doctorate of Science.

Former University of Sunderland chairman Bill Darling will receive an honorary Doctorate of Laws, and City of Sunderland College chairman Don Chroston will be awarded an honorary Fellowship.

Businessman Paul Calla-ghan, chairman of the Leighton Group, in Sunderland, will receive an honorary Fellowship, as will Steve Pallas, training and development manager for Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Limited and Dave Alexander, UK synergies manager for Sony Business Europe UK.