LIVERPOOL music legend Gerry Marsden and A Hard Day's Night director Richard Lester donned caps and gowns at Liverpool John Moores University yesterday.

They wore the regalia to pick up honorary Fellowships during a graduation ceremony at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.

Mr Marsden, best known as the lead singer of the band Gerry and the Pacemakers, was recognised for his “outstanding contribution to the performing arts”.

Mr Lester, who has worked on Superman II and Superman III and The Beatles’ film, Help!, received an honorary Fellowship for his “outstanding and sustained contributions to the film industry”.

Chairman of the LJMU art and design academy fundraising board, and a former president of the British Chambers of Commerce, John Entwistle OBE, was also honoured for his “outstanding contributions to the visual arts”.

Gerry, who has enjoyed hits including How Do You Do It, I Like It and You’ll Never Walk Alone, said he was “proud for this great honour”.

He said: “I love Liverpool and Liverpool people.

“I’m over the moon, I will remember this for the rest of my life.”

As well as congratulating the graduates on their degrees, he referred to his famous song Ferry Cross the Mersey and said: “We don’t care what your name is boy, we’ll never turn you away.”

Other well-known faces who turned out yesterday included Merseyside film actress Rita Tushingham.

The sixties icon, who was born in Hunts Cross and received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University last year, accompanied Mr Lester.