The Bishop of Bradford will join thousands of thrilled students today in picking up a degree at the city's university.

The Right Reverend David Smith will be made a Doctor of the University in recognition of his service to the Bradford community.

He will be hailed as "a man of the people and a man of peace who at times of stress in the city, is out on the streets."

Later this week polling guru Professor Robert Worcester, broadcaster Adam Hart-Davis, cricket chief Lord MacLaurin and building society boss David Anderson will also be presented with honorary degrees.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Bell said: "The core values and beliefs of our university are represented in our honorary graduates. We are pleased to be able to recognise the achievements of such talented and distinguished individuals, and delighted they can join us in celebrating the achievements of our many graduates."

More than 1,800 students graduate this summer.

The Bishop has played a full and active part in the life of the city since being enthroned Bishop of Bradford in 1992.

He was introduced to the House of Lords in 1997 and two years later appointed chairman of the new Standards Committee for Bradford Council. Before coming to Bradford, he was Bishop to Her Majesty's Forces from 1987 to 1992, Bishop of Maidstone from 1987, and before that Archdeacon of Lindisfarne.

Tomorrow Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) chief executive David Anderson will get an honorary doctorate in recognition of his services to the building society movement and the Bradford business community. The YBS employs 1,000 people in Bradford and is the third-largest building society in the UK. He is a board member of the business organisation Bradford Breakthrough and a member of the leadership team of Bradford Cares.

TV presenter Adam Hart-Davis will receive a doctor of science degree in recognition of his programmes which popularise science. He is best known for the show Local Heroes.

On Thursday, MORI chairman Professor Bob Worcester will become a doctor of letters in recognition of his work in market research.

Honorary doctorates are also being presented to Lord MacLaurin of Knebworth, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, and Frank Fildes, senior vice president at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.