WINCHESTER University has officially welcomed Alan Titchmarsh as its new chancellor at a ceremony yesterday.

 Joy Carter, vice-chancellor, said: "We are honoured and delighted to welcome Alan as our new Chancellor.

“Alan is joining us at an exciting time of growth and change; we have a huge amount to be proud of and a firm foundation from which to build the future. His values and beliefs are closely aligned to those of the University – intellectual freedom, social justice, diversity, spirituality, individuals matter and creativity. I look forward to working with him in the coming years.”

Alan began his gardening career as an apprentice at the age of 15 before moving into print and broadcast journalism.

He is a TV presenter and writer, contributing to newspapers and magazines, and has written nine novels, three volumes of autobiography and more than 50 gardening books.

Alan was appointed a MBE for services to horticulture and broadcasting in 2000, and four years later was awarded the RHS’s highest accolade, the Victoria Medal of Honour.

His own charity – Gardens for Schools – merged with the RHS’ Campaign for School Gardening 10 years ago and has made over 500 grants to primary schools for the creation of gardens and wildlife areas.

Alan succeeds Dame Mary Fagan who retired after nearly 10 years’ service to the university.