A man who helped transform Durham University in the 1960s and 1970s has died aged 85.

Sir Derman Christopherson was vice-chancellor between 1960 and 1979, and led the university as it changed from a small traditional institution to one of the fastest-growing universities.

Under his leadership, King's College in Newcastle broke away from Durham University and became Newcastle University, in 1963.

The move led to the growth of Durham's science departments, rising numbers of students, the foundation of Van Mildert, Trevelyan and Collingwood colleges and the merger of St Hild and St Bede colleges.

Devon-born Sir Derman, who studied at Oxford, retired from the university in 1979 and returned to Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he previously held a post, to become Master.

Present-day vice-chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman said: "Sir Derman's time at Durham transformed the university. He was a hard working champion of science and a sensitive agent of reform.''

Sir Derman, a widower, leaves three sons and a daughter. His funeral will be held in Cambridge next Monday.