STAR of stage and screen Stephen Tompkinson received his honorary degree from Teesside University this morning (Friday, November 27).

The Stockton-born actor and Boro fan has been a well-known face in television and film for three decades.

He said: "Today is a day I will never forget. The family that inspired me to go into acting, it is a tremendous honour for all of us."

He received the Doctor of Art degree in a ceremony today.

Mr Tompkinson currently plays detective Alan Banks in the ITV crime drama DCI Banks.

He previously starred in Ballykissangel and Wild at Heart, and his film credits include the 1996 comedy-drama Brassed Off. He was born in Stockton and moved to Scarborough when he was four, but regularly returns to the area to visit relatives.