The “bard of Salford”, John Cooper Clarke, has received an honorary degree from the University of Salford. After Thursday's ceremony, held at the Lowry in Salford Quays, he said: "What a thrill, who'd have thought it?" and added: "Now I'm a doctor, finally my dream of opening a cosmetic surgery business can become a reality."

Cooper Clarke, who emerged as a poet in the 1970s punk era, and who once worked as a lab technician at Salford Technical Institute, was presented with the doctorate of arts in "acknowledgement of a career which has spanned five decades, bringing poetry to non-traditional audiences and influencing musicians and comedians".

 In the 70s he toured with bands including the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Fall and Elvis Costello delivering satirical and political verse in hard-hitting, rapid-fire style, and was soon playing to large crowds in his own right. His collection of poetry and words, Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt, in 1979, became one of the best-selling poetry books of the 1980s.

He now lives in Essex. Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys cites him as an inspiration and his work appears on the sleeve of one of their singles. He continues to appear at UK festivals and regularly tours throughout Europe and Australia.

PHOTOGRAPH: UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD