FOOTBALLING legend Sir Bobby Robson is to receive a university's highest honour.

Newcastle University will recognise the Magpies' boss with an honorary doctorate in civil law at a ceremony on Friday, May 9.

It will be presented by the university's chancellor, Chris Patten, who will also confer honours on other leading figures.

Sir Bobby said: "I am delighted to accept this honour from Newcastle University, who are not only Newcastle United's closest neighbour in the city, but also another of this region's 'premier league' organisations."

Also receiving honorary degrees at the May ceremony will be Fiona Reynolds, director general of The National Trust; Professor Fred Schneider of New York's Cornell University, an international expert in computer security; and Newcastle graduate Dr Herbert Loebl, an eminent Tyneside industrialist who fled Nazi Germany at the beginning of the Second World War and founded Joyce-Loebl Electronics and the Scientific Instrument Group.

Dr John Hogan, registrar of Newcastle University, said: "The achievements of the four individuals who will receive honorary degrees in May reflect the dynamism, commitment and enthusiasm in which this university and the North-East as a whole take such pride."