BOLTON Institute welcomed a member of Royle-ty to its fold today when it bestowed an honorary award on screen actress Sue Johnston.

The Merseyside actress -- best known as Barbara, the long-suffering wife of Jim Royle in BBC's The Royle Family -- was at the Victoria Halls, Bolton, to receive the institute's Honorary Fellowship from principal Mollie Temple.

Sue said: "It takes my breath away. It is the first time I have been given an honour like this and I am really proud.

"As a drama student we never went through ceremonies like this so it really is unchartered waters for me.

"It is also the first time I have ever worn a robe outside of filming. I don't think Barbara in the Royle family would have worn one."

She starred in this week's tense BBC 1 police drama Waking the Dead and has been one of the country's best known actresses since appearing in Channel 4's Brookside.

She has enjoyed a career spanning two decades in regional theatre which has included seasons at Bolton's Octagon Theatre, the M6 Theatre Company and the Library Theatre, Manchester.

She joined Bolton-born chef Paul Heathcote in receiving the fellowship.

Paul learned his craft at Bolton Technical College and went on to work at The Connaught in Mayfair, London.

Paul has since opened his own award winning restaurant Heathcotes at Longridge near Preston.

Also receiving Honorary Fellowships were Anthony Goldstone, OBE, MBE, who is chairman of the Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council and author and broadcaster Lord Bhikhu Parekh, who is currently Professor of Political Theory at Hull University.

The four guests of honour joined hundreds of institute students who receive degrees and awards at the Victoria Hall today and tomorrow.

Bolton Institute Principal, Mollie Temple said: "The awards ceremonies are the high point in the institute's year when we celebrate the achievements of our students and recognise the hard work and commitment of the students and of the staff who have supported them through their studies."