A FORMER North-East MP has been named as the new chancellor of the university where he studied history.

Alan Milburn, who was Darlington MP from 1992 to 2010, will take up the position at Lancaster University on January 1.

The former Health Secretary credits the skills he learnt at Lancaster as the foundation of his working life.

Mr Milburn will succeed Sir Chris Bonington, who is retiring after ten years as chancellor.

The former Darlington MP said: “I am honoured to follow in Chris’s footsteps, he has been an outstanding chancellor.

“It is a privilege to become chancellor of the university that gave me such strong foundations for my life and career.

Vice-chancellor, Professor Mark E. Smith, said: “We are delighted to welcome Alan as chancellor in the year of Lancaster’s 50th anniversary, especially as an alumnus.”

Mr Milburn will be Lancaster’s third chancellor, the first being Princess Alexandra who served from 1964 to 2004 and was one of the longest-serving university chancellors in the UK.