A LEADING folk musician and a renowned inventor will be awarded honorary degrees as thousands of students graduate this week.

Kathryn Tickell, who plays with the Northumbrian Pipes, and Professor John C Taylor, who is best known for designing thermostat systems, are both being awarded honorary degrees during Durham University's winter congregations.

Around 2,500 students are due to graduate during ceremonies held at Durham Cathedral on Thursday, January 13, and Friday, January 14.

On Thursday, Ms Tickell will be made an Honorary Master of Music and Prof Taylor will be made an Honorary Doctor of Science.

Ms Tickell is a renowned folk musician, composer and recording artist who founded The Young Musicians Fund, which has raised £100,000 for young people in North East England.

She also initiated The Festival for the North East and has previously performed and recorded in Durham Cathedral and at Ushaw College.

She received the Queen’s Medal for Music, awarded to individuals judged to have had a major influence on the musical life of the nation, in 2009 and an OBE for services to folk music in 2015.

Prof John C Taylor OBE, a visiting professor of physics at Durham University, is a world-renowned inventor and entrepreneur, perhaps best known for designing thermostat systems.

He is also an eminent horologist with a collection of early English clocks and watches, and designed the Chronophage clocks, which have been exhibited in a number of museums.

Prof Stuart Corbridge, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, said: “I congratulate all of our graduates and wish them every success as they embark upon a new phase in their lives.

“Both of our honorary graduates are great innovators in their field and I am sure our students will draw inspiration from them.”