TRIPLE Olympic rowing gold medallist Matthew Pinsent CBE received another honour in the region yesterday.

Pinsent was installed as an honorary graduate of the University of Durham, Stockton campus, at a graduation ceremony in Stockton Parish Church.

Pinsent was joined by hundreds of students receiving their degrees from University Chancellor, Sir Peter Ustinov.

Former Stockton campus principal and provost John Hayward was also awarded an honorary degree to mark his early retirement this year.

Three consecutive graduation ceremonies were held yesterday to cater for the 400 students who were receiving their degrees.

After the ceremony, Pinsent, still in his academic gown, officially named a boat at the university. The boat, Gold Fever, will be used by students at the Stockton campus' boat club.

The boat has already started winning, having carried the Great Britain coxed four to victory in last August's world championships in Croatia.

The team was trained by Wade Hall-Craggs, the university's senior rowing coach.

Pinsent said: "It's wonderful to see so many new rowers being encouraged to take to the water and vital for the continuation and good health of the sport."

Pinsent's rowing partner Steve Redgrave received an honorary degree from the University of Durham in 1996.