THE founder of the company behind such animation classics as Wallace And Gromit, Chicken Run and Morph has been honoured by the University of York.

Peter Lord, of the film and animation company Aardman, is one of nine honorary graduates to receive an award.

Nearly 3,000 students have received first degrees, diplomas and awards in a series of ceremonies spanning three days.

Mr Lord gained a degree in English literature at the university in 1975.

Hilary Layton, the university's director of communications, said: "Peter has done so well, he's with a very successful company. He's one of our own and the company has won a number of Oscars."

Honorary degrees were awarded to people with distinguished careers in fields ranging from film-making to molecular biology.

The Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young, who gained a doctorate in linguistics at York, also received an honorary degree. Past recipients include Dame Judi Dench, and York panto stalwart Berwick Kaler.

Updated: 10:20 Friday, July 11, 2003