FOUR-TIME World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty is to receive an honorary degree for his services to the sport.

Legend Foggy spoke of his delight at the accolade from the University of Huddersfield and said: "This means as much to me as winning any of the world championships."

And the bike superstar, who won seven world titles in all, will boldly go where no champion has gone before when he is handed the award.

For Patrick Stewart, the actor who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and is the chancellor of the university, will present the award to him during a special ceremony tomorrow.

The Blackburn-born champion, who retired from the sport in 2000 because of a shoulder injury, will be given an honorary doctorate of civil law.

He said: "This is a fantastic opportunity and I feel honoured to be chosen for the award.

"This means as much to me as winning any of the world championships.

"My wife is coming and I hope the kids will go along to watch their father get the award."

John Ramsden, public relations manager at the University of Huddersfield, said: "The honorary doctorate is to recognise the outstanding achievement Carl Fogarty has made to the sport of motorcycling.

"We wanted to give it to someone who has done a lot for the sport and, because he is a northern lad, we decided to give it to him."

In 2002, Mr Fogarty founded the Foggy Petronas team in the World Superbike Championship which ran until this year, when Petronas withdrew their sponsorship. He is currently searching for a new sponsor.

* Does Foggy deserve the accolade? Have your say by submitting your comments below