FUTURE chancellors of Durham University are to be offered a fixed-term appointment.

The university is seeking a successor for the popular Sir Peter Ustinov, who performed the role for 12 years until his death in March, at the age of 82.

He was the second successive chancellor to die in office, as predecessor, prima ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn, also died while in the ceremonial post, in 1991.

As a result, the university believes future candidates may prefer to serve a fixed term of a minimum of five years to enable them to fulfil the commitment.

The chancellor traditionally confers degrees to thousands of graduates at end of term congregations, but the role also includes many other ceremonial appearances.

University spokesman Keith Seacroft said: "The people we are looking for are already busy in other walks of life, so the idea of a commitment of no more than five years may be more attractive than an open-ended appointment."

A selection panel is whittling down the initial 518 nominations to find a successor for Sir Peter.

They hope to approach the preferred candidate, in secret, with the aim of confirming the appointment early next year, for an installation ceremony prior to next summer's degree ceremonies.

Tributes were paid to Sir Peter by leading civic and university figures in a service of celebration of his life and work, at Durham Cathedral, last Wednesday.

A memorial service was held at St Martin's in the Field Church, in London's Trafalgar Square, yesterday.

* A selection of pictures of Sir Peter on visits to Durham, including an award-winning shot by Mike Urwin, a former photographer with The Northern Echo, are on show in the university's Palace Green Library, until Sunday.