Actress to be awarded honorary university degree

Actress Mia McKenna-Bruce is to be awarded an honorary doctorate by Canterbury Christ Church University for helping to "elevate Kent onto the national stage".

McKenna-Bruce, a former student at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, will receive her award for services to acting, after beginning her career as a child when she featured in the CBBC series Tracy Beaker Returns and its spin-off The Dumping Ground.

She has won awards including a BAFTA Rising Star Award and the British Independent Film Award for Best Lead Performance.

The award will be given to her at a ceremony at the university later in September.

She has also starred in Agatha Christie's Seven Dials on Netflix as Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent.

Also receiving an award from the university is Judith Armitt DL, who previously served as chief executive of Medway Council and Thames Gateway.

The university said that she helped it to work with the Universities of Kent and Greenwich to deliver the Universities at Medway.

She will get her honorary doctorate in recognition of her services to regional and public service, and outstanding contributions to the university.

Canterbury Christ Church University's vice-chancellor and principal, Prof Claire Ozanne, said: "We are delighted to award Judith and Mia honorary doctorates from Canterbury Christ Church University.

"Our graduation ceremonies give us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these remarkable achievements, as well as those of our students and welcome them to our alumni community."

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