A WINCHESTER academic has been granted the honour of writing a hymn to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Professor June Boyce-Tillman was commissioned by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and her hymn is due to be widely sung over forthcoming months.

The professor of applied music at King Alfred's College, who lectures in the School of Community and Performing Arts, explained that she wanted to use a familiar tune to ensure that it was approachable for congregations to sing.

"In using an existing tune, the original words re-echo with the new ones. I felt that the rejoicing character of the text used in the hymn Hills of the North Rejoice, the tune I have adopted, was in keeping with the spirit of a hymn rejoicing about the Jubilee.

"I did find the verse about the Queen herself the most difficult to write. I was concerned to reflect her feelings when her father died so suddenly and she had to obey the call to be Queen.

"I feel that she has always constructed her duty as coming from God, which I was also keen to portray."

She added: "Although the hymn was commissioned specifically for the Jubilee, I hope that it will continue to be used after the celebrations."