A BUSINESSMAN and former councillor who donated £1m to Durham University is to receive an honorary degree from the institution.

Bob Young, a former miner turned haulage magnate and Durham County Council cabinet member, will be made an honorary master of arts by Durham University.

In 2009, he set up the £1m Robert Young Scholarship Fund to help County Durham students study at Durham.

Mr Young will be one of six people awarded honorary degrees at graduation ceremonies in July.

James Lancelot, master of choristers and organist at Durham Cathedral, will be made an honorary doctor of music.

Mr Lancelot is one of Britain’s foremost organists and was responsible for introducing girl choristers to Durham Cathedral in 2009.

Tony and Barbara Laithwaite, founders and owners of home delivery firm Laithwaite’s Wine, will both be made honorary doctors of civil law. The couple met while students at Durham in the 1960s and support the university’s Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience.

Professor Jane Buikstra, an anthropologist and bio-archaeologist, will be made an honorary doctor of science and Prof Mosobalaji Oyawoye, the first African professor of geology, will be made an honorary doctor of science.

Prof Chris Higgins, Durham University’s outgoing vice-chancellor, said: “All of our honorary degree recipients have made outstanding contributions to their chosen fields.

“They are role models for our students in terms of what can be achieved with drive, determination and skill.”

The graduation ceremonies, known as Congregations, will be held in Durham Cathedral from July 1 to 4.