BIG names from the sporting, design and entrepreneurial worlds will be honoured at graduation ceremonies.

Cricketing legend Sir Ian Botham, Innocent Smoothies' founder Richard Reed and eminent designer Alberto Alessi are just three on the illustrious list of people being honoured at the University Of Lincoln.

They will receive their awards between September 6 and 9.

Deputy director general of the BBC Mark Byford, former editor-in-chief of the Telegraph Media Group Will Lewis and well-known commentator Yasmin Alibhai-Brown will also receive awards.

They join a growing list of honoraries, including Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger and Professor Robert Winston.