Police guitarist gets doctorate

ITN's Mark Austin (l) and Andy Summers of The Police

Rock and jazz guitarist Andy Summers has received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Bournemouth University.

Summers, who shot to fame in the late 1970s with The Police, returned to the town where he spent his formative years to accept the degree.

He was joined by ITN news anchorman Mark Austin, at Friday's ceremony.

Mr Austin, who started his journalism career at the Bournemouth Daily Echo, also received an honorary doctorate of the arts.

Summers, a multi-Grammy and Brit award winner who now lives in California in the United States, used this week's US presidential election to offer advice to graduates.

Barack Obama's election has finally thrown a beautiful ray of light into the world Andy Summers

"You are graduating at a very propitious moment in the world," he said.

"Barack Obama's election has finally thrown a beautiful ray of light into the world so I think you're going forth at a great time."

He added: "It's very special for me to come back to the place where I started and to receive this award."

Professor Sir Brian Follett, the chairman of the government's Training and Development Agency for Schools, also received an honorary doctorates.

Some 2,500 graduates received degrees, diplomas and professional qualifications during six ceremonies at Bournemouth University.

The graduation ceremonies were streamed live around the world via the internet.