Business leader Sir Digby Jones has told of his pride at being honoured by Bradford University in his father's home city.

The former director general of CBI was presented with an honorary doctor of laws at the university yesterday.

He was one of three honorary graduates who received degrees at a ceremony in the University's Great Hall.

The Rt Rev David Konstant was also honoured for his work as the Bishop of Leeds, promoting interfaith relations in Bradford.

John Player, head teacher at Grange Technology College, Little Horton, received an honorary doctor of education for his work transforming the fortunes of the school, to add to his OBE.

Sir Digby's father Derek Jones lived in Bradford until he was 18, when he joined the Navy. Sir Digby said he was delighted to return to the city to receive the award.

He said: "I'm thrilled to bits. My old man would be so proud.

"My grandma worked as a mill girl in Bradford and we would visit when I was growing up in Birmingham."

Sir Digby said he would be happy to work alongside the University's School of Management to provide lectures.

He said: "I believe in education being used for social inclusion to ensure that, no matter what the colour of your skin or what god you worship, you can have access to an education. Bradford University is the most successful university in the country when it comes to this."

Sir Digby became director general of the CBI in 2000 and his term finishes this year. He will now go on to be an adviser for Barclays Bank, JCB and Ford Motors and become chairman of Cancer Research UK.

Rt Rev Konstant was honoured for his work as the Bishop of Leeds from 1985 to 2004.

He helped set up the Bradford inner ring group of churches in 2000 to bring different religions together.

e-mail: john.roberts@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

MORE HONOURS

Bradford University chancellor Imran Khan is due to confer degrees at ceremonies at the university today and tomorrow.

Calendar Girls' founder Angela Baker, president of Sierra Leone Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume are due to receive honorary degrees today.

There are 2,200 students graduating from Bradford University this summer during three days of ceremonies.