Former Gillingham and Rainham MP Paul Clark has received an honorary degree for his dedication to Medway.

He was presented a doctorate of the University of Greenwich in a graduation ceremony at Rochester Cathedral yesterday.

Mr Clark, a Labour MP for 13 years before being ousted by Conservative Rehman Chishti in 2010, has spent most of his life living and working in the Towns.

He served as a councillor on Gillingham Borough Council from 1982 and went on to become leader of the Labour group in 1989, during which time he also worked for the Trades Union Congress.

Tom Barnes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Greenwich, said: "Paul is, above all, a man of Medway who is unashamedly for Medway.

"He has, throughout his career, devoted himself to creating benefit for this region and is clearly fully committed to the people of these towns. The university is privileged to grant him an honorary degree."

Mr Clark was instrumental in the bid to secure funding to establish the Universities and Medway, a £120m partnership between Greenwich University, Kent University, Canterbury Christ Church and Mid-Kent College.

He said he was "immensely honoured" by the degree, adding: "I am proud to have had the opportunity to support the work of the Universities at Medway partners.

"The campus has brought a new dimension to our communities, as well as delivering substantial regeneration and money into the local economy, and has helped to support businesses and employment opportunities."