Brighton-born Ralph Emanuel has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Sussex.

Mr Emanuel, 86, was given the honour for his long-standing involvement with the University's Centre for German Jewish Studies and its support group, which he helped found.

Now based in London, he tells People: "I spent 20 years in Hove, and my parents came to the UK before the Great War and were very involved in the looking after refugees in the Brighton and Hove area. This was probably an influence on my involvement in the Centre." Receiving the doctorate, he says was "a considerable and unexpected honour". He was presented with the accolade by comedian and actor Sanjeev Bhaskar, who is Chancellor of the University of Sussex and best known for starring in the BBC Two comedy series Goodness Gracious Me.