TWO of Britain's greatest ever middle distance runners will come face-to-face once more when the man behind Britain's successful Olympics bid is honoured by a North-east university.

Lord Sebastian Coe is to be presented with an honorary degree from the University of Sunderland.

The gold medal winner will receive an honorary degree in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the world of athletics, presented by fellow former Olympian Steve Cram, now chancellor of the university.

As an athlete, Lord Coe twice won Olympic gold, at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the 1984 Los Angeles Games, and broke 12 world records. He now holds numerous positions in the sporting world, including Chair of the Olympics 2012 committee and vice-president of the International Association of Athletics.

Lord Coe went on to work as a Conservative MP and private secretary to William Hague after he retired from the world of athletics in 1990.

The honour will be bestowed during a week of ceremonies starting on July 11 at the Stadium of Light in which thousands of graduates will receive their degrees.

Other notable figures in the community will also be presented with honorary degrees including best-selling crime novelist Val McDermid, whose bookes were turned into the television series, Wire in the Blood.

North Shields-born Paul Campbell, is co-founder of Liberty Bell and The Amazing Group, which encourages people to pay for music rather than downloading it for free. He will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration.

George Clark, born and raised in Sunderland, will be awarded an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his contributions to architecture.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Fidler says: "Our honoraries have all made highly significant contributions within their fields and will inspire our graduates as they celebrate their academic success and embark on their careers. We look forward to welcoming them and are proud to pay tribute to them."