THE man who helped put North-East cricket on the map has been honoured by one of the region's universities.

Don Robson, former leader of Durham County Council, has been given an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Sunderland University.

Mr Robson, 66, of Medomsley, near Consett, received the honour for his work in local government and his pivotal role in steering Durham County Cricket Club to first class status a decade ago, and developing the club's Riverside ground in Chester-le-Street.

He was a councillor for 29 years and was Labour leader of Durham County Council for 12, retiring at last year's elections.

He has been chairman and president of the cricket club, and is now a life vice-president. He is a member of the English Cricket Board Working Party.

Mr Robson said: "I was surprised to receive the honour and also felt a little bit humble. It was made really for my service to the region in local government and sport, particularly with cricket and Northern Sport. I'm the only one left on it since it started 20 years ago."

Charity worker Clare Phillipson, highly regarded for her work with Wearside Women in Need, received an Honorary Fellowship, and Judge David Hodson, a senior circuit judge and Honorary Recorder of Newcastle since 1997, received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws.

* A 75-year-old grandmother who set up a counselling practice and created a website to promote it, was awarded a Masters degree at Northumbria University.

Elsie Richardson, of Heaton, Newcastle, also had to undergo two operations during her course, and overcome a computer glitch which led to her losing her 15,000-word dissertation and having to re-create it.