Oxford United chairman Firoz Kassam and television presenter Jeremy Clarkson will be among those honoured by Oxford Brookes University this year.

A total of 22 people from all walks of life will receive honorary degrees or fellowships from the university.

Mr Kassam, who is in the middle of talks to secure a new manager for Oxford United after the departure of Argentinian Ramon Diaz, is one of 10 people to be awarded a fellowship.

He said last night: "I'm obviously very honoured and pleased to be offered this award and I'm looking forward to receiving it.

"It means a lot to me. It's probably the first time that my efforts and what I have done for the people of Oxford have been acknowledged and I'm grateful for that."

Mr Clarkson, who lives in Chipping Norton, is among 12 people chosen to receive honorary degrees.

The outspoken motoring journalist is best known for his television programme Top Gear, which was set to relocate to Enstone Airfield until the move fell through this year.

Oxford Brookes University spokesman Susan Tolman said: "Recipients of honorary awards are chosen in recognition of their contribution to learning and society, and as exemplary role models for the university's students."

The list of recipients was compiled by the University Honorary Conferments Committee from nominations made by the university's staff.

Others on the honorary degree list include wheelchair athlete Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, who as well as winning 14 Paralympic medals, including nine golds, has campaigned to promote sport through her work with the Women's Sport Foundation and the Youth Sports Trust.

Oxford figures being honoured include Sir Michael Brady, professor of Inform- ation Engineering at Oxford University and Kathy Sylva, a professor of educational psychology at Oxford University.

People chosen to receive honorary fellowships are: Bryan Brown, Dr Nicholas Bunnin, Robert Challis, Margaret de Rohan, Julie Fisher, Dr Kalyani Ghandi, Firoz Kassam, Richard Paice, and Graham and Yvonne Pye.