The former editor-in-chief of the Belfast Telegraph will be awarded an honorary degree by the University of Ulster.

Ed Curran, who was awarded an OBE for services to journalism in 2006, will receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition of his services to journalism.

Ed joined the Telegraph in 1966 as a graduate trainee reporter and worked his way up to editor. He held the position for 12 years before becoming editor-in-chief and was also launch editor of sister paper, the Sunday Life.

Said Ed: “I regard the honour as a recognition of the wider field of journalism in Northern Ireland and the undoubted contribution which newspapers and many journalists have made during my career over 40 years which spanned conflict and peace in our society.”