BARONESS Doreen Massey of Darwen is to be awarded an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of her contribution to local health and educational issues.

The honour has been granted by University of Central Lancashire and will be presented during the graduation ceremony for last year's successful scholars at the Guild Hall in Preston next week.

Born in 1938, Doreen Massey worked as a teacher before becoming director of the Young Peoples Programme at the Health Education Authority, and director of the UK Family Planning Association.

She became a Labour peer in 1999 and she speaks mainly on health, education and young people

She is a health education specialist on a range of issues including drug and alcohol misuse, HIV/AIDS and sexual health in national and international contexts.

Baroness Massey has published a range of books and training resources on health and sex education.

She is a member of the Advisory Council for Alcohol and Drug Education and the Trust for the Study of Adolescence.

She sits on the all-party Parliamentary groups on alcohol and drugs; AIDS' population and development.

Baroness Massey also co-chairs the all-party Parliamentary group on children. A spokesman for the university said: "The University of Central Lancashire is delighted that Baroness Massey of Darwen has chosen to accept this honorary fellowship and considers her to be an ideal role model for students within the Faculty of Health."