FIVE decades of the University of York are being celebrated with a service at the Minster tomorrow.

More than 1,200 people are expected at the official launch of the university’s 50th anniversary year, kick-starting a year-long calendar of commemorative events.

The Minster audience, which will include York residents, former students and staff, will see the Chancellor Greg Dyke confer honorary doctorates on artist David Hockney and four other people who have made outstanding contributions to York and Yorkshire in the last half-century.

They will also hear the premiere performance by the University of York orchestra and choir composed specially by Dr Richard Shephard, an honorary graduate of the university.

Mr Hockney will join Janet Barnes, chief executive officer of York Museums Trust; Robert Brech, the chairman of York Science Park; John David, master mason of York Minster and Dianne Swiers, former deputy chief nurse Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust, in receiving honorary degrees.

The Vice-Chancellor Prof Brian Cantor said: “We are starting our 50th anniversary celebrations by acknowledging our relationship with the people of York, many of whom will be attending this exciting public event in the Minster.

“The university’s success is attributable to the vision of our founding staff, the spirit of the pioneering students who chose to come to York in the early 1960s, and to the efforts of all those who have worked here and friends who have supported us over the last half century.”