Actor and cricketer given degree honours
NNPNorth East stars Jill Halfpenny and Mark Wood have received honorary degrees from one of their local universities.
Gateshead-born Halfpenny, whose TV acting credits include Byker Grove, EastEnders and Waterloo Road, said she was "absolutely thrilled" to be given an honorary doctor of letters from Northumbria University in recognition of her contribution to television and theatre.
Durham and England cricketer Wood, who grew up in Ashington, Northumberland, described his honorary doctorate of science as a "real privilege".
The pair were among 14 people awarded honorary degrees by the university in recognition of their achievements on screen and stage, sport, science, business, law and the arts.
In more than 30 years, Halfpenny has appeared in a string of television and theatre shows, winning an Olivier Award for her role in the West End's Legally Blonde, with Northumbria praising her for continuing to champion the region's emerging creative talent.
She said she would give her certificate "pride of place" on display.
NNPBowler Wood, who counts an Ashes series victory and two World Cups among his cricketing triumphs, "has never forgotten his roots," the university said, "remaining a dedicated presence at Ashington Cricket Club, where he coaches and supports junior players coming through the ranks".
It added his sporting success was "all the more remarkable given the multiple serious injuries he has overcome".
Also among the degree recipients was Peter Straughan, the Gateshead-born Academy Award-winning screenwriter behind Conclave and the Wolf Hall television adaptations.
He was made an honorary doctor of letters.
