THE man who helped bring the Millennium Bridge and Baltic Art Centre to Gates-head has received an honorary degree.

George Gill, former leader of Gateshead Borough Council who retired in May, was given an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law by Northumbria University in Newcastle.

A university spokeswoman said: "The award is in recognition of Mr Gill's outstanding record of public achievement in the region and most notably for his vision in bringing into being a host of major cultural institutions on Tyneside.

"He has been the political energy behind the Millennium Bridge, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the Music Centre in Gateshead.''

Mr Gill was a Labour councillor for 29 years and leader of the council for 17.