CELEBRATED jazz singer and broadcaster Clare Teal has been honoured by her former university.

Kildwick-born Clare has been awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music by University of Wolverhampton’s Faculty of Arts.

Clare studied music at the university after leaving South Craven School in Cross Hills, and graduated in 1994.

Since then, she has recorded and released 14 albums to public and critical acclaim. She signed to independent label Candid in 2001, but her major breakthrough came with her first album for Sony Jazz. Released in 2004, Don’t Talk topped the jazz charts and entered the UK Top 20, garnering extraordinary plaudits and several awards.

Clare has performed around the world and a career pinnacle for her was producing, presenting and performing her own Prom during the 2014 Proms season at the Royal Albert Hall.

She has also built a successful career as a broadcaster, presenting her own show on BBC Radio 2 featuring big band and swing music.

Clare said: “I am so grateful for the award and I’ve just been grinning from ear to ear since I heard the news.

"I keep having to pinch myself. As a graduate of the university, it’s just great to be remembered.

“I had a fabulous time at the University of Wolverhampton and I do use a lot of what I learnt at university every day. It was a wonderful course - tailor-made for someone like me. It has proved so helpful to me in my career.

“My message to graduates is never be afraid to try to follow your dreams or your ideas.”

Clare won British Jazz Singer of the Year in 2005 and 2007, BBC Jazz Singer of the Year in 2006, Arts and Entertainment Personality of the Year in 2004 and 2011 and a Gold Badge from BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors) in 2011.

She is the second Craven celebrity to be honoured by the university.

Last week, double gold Paralympic archer Danielle Brown, of Lothersdale, received an honorary degree from the faculty of education, health and wellbeing for her outstanding sporting achievements.