SINGER Alison Moyet has accepted an honorary degree from South Essex College.

The ceremony took place at the college in Southend last night.

Moyet, 50, who was born in Billericay and grew up in Basildon, studied a music foundation course in the late Seventies at what was then Southend Technical College, which became South Essex College.

The former Yazoo singer said the honour, which she collected last night, was the first honorary degree she had received.

Before studying in Southend, Moyet studied at the Nicholas School, Basildon, which later merged with the Laindon School to become James Hornsby High School.