AN ACCRINGTON professor has been awarded a CBE for her ‘outstanding contribution’ to creative arts in Higher Education.

Professor Elaine Thomas has been praised by TV presenter Loyd Grossman for her work in setting up a top university.

Prof Thomas, who was born in Accrington and attended Accrington High School for Girls, has spent her whole career promoting the creative arts.

She is the vice-chancellor of the University for the Creative Arts, which has five campuses in the south east.

She has previously held top positions at the University of Ulster and the Sheffield Hallam University.

Professor Thomas said: “UCA was the first university in the country to be granted specialist creative arts status.

“I am honoured to receive the CBE, and am delighted that the valuable role UCA plays in society has been recognised in this way.”

Prof Thomas, whose personal area of expertise is in fine art, oversaw the creation of UCA, which gained University title in 2008.

Her parents, Ted and Mary Dean, still live in Accrington, as do her sister and brother-in-law Annette and Brian Thompson.

Loyd Grossman, who is the chair of UCA’s board of governors, said: “Professor Thomas has been a tireless advocate for the creative arts throughout her career.”