Top Paralympic athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson has received an honorary degree from the University of Greenwich at Medway.

The Doctor of Science (HonDSc) is in recognition of her outstanding service to disability and to disadvantaged people, as well as to sport in general and the Paralympic Games in particular.

She received her degree alongside hundreds of other graduates who studied at the university’s Chatham Maritime campus at a ceremony at Rochester Cathedral yesterday (Tuesday).

A former Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year, her Paralympic medal tally is 11 gold, four silver and one bronze.

Speaking after the ceremony, she said: “It’s been a really amazing day and it’s nice to be part of the celebration and to be in the cathedral is just stunning.

"It is such a beautiful building - quite different from my own degree ceremony which was in a sports hall.”

Prof David Maguire, vice-chancellor at the university, said the university was honoured to have the Paralympic legend at the ceremony.

He said: “Tanni is a great inspiration because of her history in world sport, but also because she has been a tireless campaigner for disability and diversity which means a lot to our university.

“It’s been really inspirational to our students graduating here today that they can graduate at the same time as such a figure.”

• Read the full interview with Tanni, including her thoughts on the legacy of the London Paralympics, in the Medway Messenger on Friday.