THE outgoing dean of Durham Cathedral was among those receiving honorary degrees there yesterday.

After 13 years in the post, the Very Reverend John Arnold will take his last service in the cathedral in September, retiring to Canterbury, where he will help out at its cathedral.

Dr Arnold received an honorary doctorate of divinity from Durham University in recognition of his work in support of scholarship, international church relations and the local and wider community.

He was joined by fellow honorary graduates and some of his own students, who received their degrees from the university's chancellor, Sir Peter Ustinov.

This week's ceremonies mark the first time the cathedral has been used as a venue for graduations.

Dr Arnold was ordained a priest in 1961 after working in post-war Berlin, and was persuaded by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, to move to Durham in 1989, after he was told that being Dean of Durham was the best job in the Church of England.

He holds honours including the Order of St Vladimir from the Russian Orthodox Church, the Officer's Cross of the German Order of Merit, and the OBE.

He said: "I'm delighted and very gratified to be receiving my degree because the cathedral's relationship with the university has meant so much to me in all these years.

"I will be very sad to leave Durham. These have been the happiest years of my life."

The other honorary graduates are artist Thetis Blacker, Dr Bernard Kouchner, a founder member of Medicins sans Frontieres; Music Centre Gateshead architect Lord Foster of Thames Bank and Nobel Prizewinner Professor Amartya Sen.

Honorary degree ceremonies for astronomer Professor Richard Ellis, entrepreneur Dr Peter Ogden, and composer Arvo Part will take place later this year.