FRED Dibnah has become an honorary doctor - but true to form instead of donning a mortarboard he marked the occasion wearing his famous flat cap.

The much-loved Bolton steeplejack has been awarded an honorary doctorate of technology by The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

He was awarded the honour by university chancellor and former British Rail chairman Sir Bob Reid in an elaborate ceremony, but admits to being slightly bemused by the fuss.

"I'm Doctor Dibnah now," he said. "But I can't mend legs, only iron things.

"I don't mind getting up on a stage addressing an audience but it's a bit different when you have to stand there with all your regalia on while someone explains the reasons you're being given the degree."

Professor Norman Deans, head of electronic and electrical engineering, praised Fred as a steeplejack of all trades but singled out the influence of his television work.

He said: "It would be disrespectful to describe Fred simply as someone who demolishes chimneys. He helped create a cultural shift in the way the public views Victorian engineering."

Speaking as he received his degree, Fred said: "I was surprised, in a way, but I'm very honoured. Letters started arriving and I wondered if my head was getting too big for my cap."

Wife Sheila attended the ceremony and accompanied Fred to a celebration dinner in Aberdeen.

Fred, of Radcliffe Road, Darcy Lever, was catapulted to national fame when he was filmed as part of a series about people with unusual jobs. A documentary series followed and the 61-year-old became a regular television fixture, most recently with Fred's Magnificent Monuments.

He will shortly begin filming an hour-long BBC documentary on engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.