University honours for TV actress

Patricia Routledge was made a CBE in 2004

Actress Patricia Routledge, the star of the TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, has been awarded an honorary degree by Lancaster university.

At a ceremony presided over by the university's chancellor Sir Chris Bonington, the Birkenhead-born actress received a Doctor of Letters.

Ms Routledge made her stage debut at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1952.

She also appeared in the popular TV detective series Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.

Ms Routledge achieved national fame when she featured in monologues written for her by both Alan Bennett and Victoria Wood and was nominated for two BAFTA TV Awards in 1992 and 1993.

A university spokeswoman said the actress was chosen because of her enormous contribution to drama and theatre.