THE CHAIRMAN of the BBC Michael Grade will be honoured tomorrow by Southampton Solent University.

Along with crime novelist Minette Walters, a long-serving New Forest planner, and a government advisor, Grade will be receiving an honorary degree.

Minette won the Crime Writers' Association John Creasey Award for her first novel, The Ice House, and many of her novels have been adapted for television by the BBC, including The Sculptress.

The first ever chairman of the newly created New Forest National Park Authority, Edward Johnson OBE, will be made a Doctor of Science for his services to planning and the New Forest.

He has lived in the New Forest for 40 years and is the former Director of Planning for the New Forest District Council and a planning adviser to a number of national bodies.

The government's chief diversity adviser, Waqar Azmi OBE, will be made a Doctor of Letters for promoting diversity across the civil service. Mr Grade will be made a Doctor of Business Administration for his services to businesses and broadcasting. He started his career as a sports columnist for The Daily Mirror and took up the BBC chairmanship two years ago.

The university will also honour Professor Chen Yuning, who will be made a Doctor of Business Administration for forging closer links between China's Ningxia University and Southampton Solent University.

Australian cricket sensation Shane Warne has already been awarded his honorary degree of Master of Arts for his outstanding sporting achievements.

The Hampshire County Cricket Club captain was presented with the award on his 37th birthday at Southampton's Rose Bowl cricket ground.

High spot The university will present the accolades during the next four days that will see 4,065 students graduate from degree programmes as well as professional courses. Nearly half of those are expected to turn up to one of eight ceremonies to be held at Southampton Guildhall.

Vice chancellor Professor Roger Brown said: "This week's graduation ceremonies are the high spot of the university's year, when we celebrate the achievements of our students and our staff.

"My congratulations to everyone who will be graduating this week."