A UNIVERSITY professor from the North-East has won a top accolade.

Professor Ben Knights, a lecturer in English and cultural studies at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, has received a National Teaching Fellowship worth £50,000 in recognition of his excellence in teaching.

Prof Knights was presented with his award by Margaret Hodge, the new Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education, at a ceremony in London.

One of only 20 winners of the fellowship, he will be able to use the award to further a project related to his teaching career