AN award-winning poet was given an honorary degree yesterday.
US-born writer Anne Stevenson was presented with her degree in her adopted home of Durham.
Fellow countryman Bill Bryson, the new chancellor of Durham University, presented the 71-year-old with her degree.
Ms Stevenson donned the traditional gown for the ceremony at Durham Cathedral.
She said: "It is wonderful theatre. Everyone likes dressing up every now and again and everyone needs a show."
In 2002, Ms Stevenson won the £60,000 Northern Rock Foundation Writer Award.
Other figures who received honorary doctorates at Durham this week were South African-born musician Peter Carter, businessman Sir Derek Wanless, scientist Professor Julia Goodfellow and physicist Sir Gareth Roberts.
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