HE was more used to clutching a wrench than a scroll when he starred in Coronation Street – but now a York actor’s stage and screen work is to be honoured by one of his home town’s universities.

Andrew Dunn, who became familiar to millions through his roles as plumber Roger Stiles in the Weatherfield soap and canteen manager Tony Martin in sitcom dinnerladies, will become one of four recipients of an honorary degree from York St John University next week.

His accolade as doctor of letters is in recognition of his career as a film and TV actor as well as his contribution to theatre in York and across Yorkshire, which has included appearing in York Theatre Royal’s 2004 production of Brassed Off as well as The Bill and Bremner, Bird And Fortune.

Meanwhile, York St John will also be honouring Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss, stepsister of the famous war diarist Anne Frank, who will become an honorary doctor of education next Thursday at the first of two graduation ceremonies at York Minster, where hundreds of students will be awarded their degrees.

Her award is in recognition of her contribution to education through the Anne Frank Educational Trust.

A university spokeswoman said: “Eva has spent her lifetime spreading a message of tolerance and regularly visits schools, universities and other institutions to talk about her experiences during the Holocaust.”

An honorary degree as a doctor of health sciences will be presented to Tanya Barron, the international director of the Leonard Cheshire charity, for her career and work in promoting the welfare of families of people with disabilities.

She has close links to York St John in providing student placements to work with the charity across the world.

Sculptor Peter Randall-Page, whose work – inspired by science and the natural world – is exhibited worldwide and is currently on show at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield, will become an honorary doctor of letters at next Friday’s afternoon awards ceremony at the Minster.

The honorary degrees will be presented by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu,who is the university’s chancellor, and its pro chancellor, Robin Hall.

• A full list of York St John University students who are receiving degrees will be published in The Press next week.