CHORLEY MP and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has been honoured with a prestigious academic award from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
He swapped his Parliamentary robe for an academic one when he received his Honorary Fellowship from the university.
Sir Lindsay was recognised for the significant contribution he has made to politics and to the UK Parliament.
He said: "I've got to say it feels fantastic to be receiving an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Central Lancashire. Being part of UCLan today means so much to me as a proud Lancastrian.
"As the first Lancashire Speaker of the House of Commons, I am proud of my home county and of course my hometown of Chorley. it is a great pleasure to accept this award."
Sir Lindsay served as a Labour councillor on Chorley Council between 1980 and 1998, including spells as deputy leader and mayor.
He was elected as the town's MP in 1997 and has won the seat a total of seven times. He was elected to the highest authority of Speaker of the House of Commons in 2019.