A POET, a politician, and a musician were among those to be awarded honorary degrees at Liverpool University yesterday.
Brian Patten received a doctorate at the Philharmonic Hall for his contribution to arts and culture.
Together with Roger McGough - who received his doctorate earlier in the week - and the late Adrian Henri, Mr Patten became well-known in the 1960s by making poetry immediate and accessible to new audiences through joint anthologies such as The Mersey Sound (1967).
Mr Patten is also renowned for his best-selling poetry for children, such as the famous Gargling with Jelly collection.
He was awarded the Cholmondley Award for services to poetry in 2002, in the same year that both he and Mr McGough were honoured with the Freedom of the City of Liverpool.
The university also recognised the achievements of those who have had a positive impact on society, both locally and nationally.
Frank Field, Labour MP for Birkenhead, was awarded a doctorate for his work in social and pension reform.
In music, internationally acclaimed organist Professor Ian Tracey was honoured.
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