CELEBRATED Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson collected her latest accolade in a degree ceremony at the weekend.

The athlete, from Redcar, Teesside, broke off preparations for her latest medal bid in the Athens Paralympics to be conferred with an honorary degree from the Open University.

Mrs Grey-Thompson was guest of honour at the Open University's regional degree congregation at Newcastle City Hall, one of more than 20 such ceremonies around the country.

The regional director of the Open University in the North, John Shipley, who conferred the degree, hailed her achievements as "second to none in the disability sport arena".

He said the award recognised Mrs Grey-Thompson's world class performance at distances ranging from 100m to the marathon over the past 14 years.

Her roll of honour includes 13 Paralympic medals, six golds in the London Marathon and a comprehensive set of British and world records.

Mrs Grey-Thompson said it was her 17th such accolade from universities and learning institutions.

"Each one is a great honour, but at least there are a lot of people nearer my age at the Open University ceremony.

"I think this was for my achievements over the last few years going back to the Sydney games."

She added that her training was going well for Athens, where she hopes to land at least one medal.

Mr Shipley, who presented awards to 200 successful students, said: "Each year, we witness how education enriches the lives of thousands of our students.

"The Open University will continue to help people from all sections of society to fulfil their dreams and ambitions, further their careers and get the most out of their studies."

In a further Open University ceremony, at London's Royal Festival Hall, world-renowned architect Sir Terry Farrell, who was educated at Newcastle University, was conferred with another honorary degree.