FORMER director-general of the BBC Greg Dyke is one of several senior figures who will receive honorary awards from a North-East university.

Mr Dyke, who will be honoured by the University of Sunderland, has been a senior figure in broadcasting for 20 years.

He worked his way up from being a journalist to become chief executive of London Weekend Television and chairman of Channel 5, before he took the helm at the BBC in 2000.

He left the corporation in January in controversial circumstances.

In his time at the BBC, Mr Dyke reorganised its structure with the aims of putting him closer to programme-makers and spending more of the BBC's income on programmes and services for audiences and less on running the organisation.

Mr Dyke will receive an honorary Doctorate of Arts for achievements in broadcasting.

Two other figures will receive honorary awards from University of Sunderland chancellor Lord Puttnam during graduation ceremonies at the Stadium of Light, the first of which is on Monday.

One NorthEast chairwoman Margaret Fay, the former managing director of Tyne Tees Television, will receive an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration for her contribution to culture and business in the region.

During her 22 years with Tyne Tees, Ms Fay, who survived two takeovers by Yorkshire TV and subsequently Granada, was recognised for her open and direct style.

County Durham-born businessman John Cuthbert will receive an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration for his contribution to the region's businesses.

He has been managing director of Northumbrian Water Group and Northumbrian Water Limited since 2001.