PETE POSTLETHWAITE - POSTLETHWAITE: 'LIVERPOOL FELLOWSHIP BEATS AN OSCAR'

British actor PETE POSTLETHWAITE has been made an honorary fellow of Liverpool John Moores University (20JUL05) in England, and he insists the accolade means more to him than winning an Oscar.

The 60-year-old star, who hails from nearby Warrington, was particularly touched to receive the fellowship in Liverpool as it was his work with the city's Everyman Theatre - alongside actors including JULIE WALTERS and BILL NIGHY - which set him on the road to stardom.

Postlethwaite, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER in 1994, was presented with the honour for his outstanding contribution to the dramatic arts at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral.

He said, "This is a real honour for me and I am thrilled to bits, especially as I always wanted to come to this university.

"It means a great deal to receive this in Liverpool as this was the city where I realised acting wasn't just a silly game but it actually meant something.

"This award beats an Oscar, it's really special."