HE’S already a legend.

But now he’s getting an honour from academia.

Town favourite Andy Booth is to get an honorary award from the University of Huddersfield.

And he will be joined by former Huddersfield speed ace James Whitham and ex ‘Coronation Street’ star Sarah Lancashire in the summer degree ceremonies.

They are among the leading figures from the fields of sport, television, music and the arts who will be honoured in July.

Booth, who has played for 18 years in two spells, for his hometown club, will receive an Honorary Fellowship.

An icon of Huddersfield sport – he is the third highest goal scorer in the history of Town – he also enjoyed a successful spell in the Premiership with Sheffield Wednesday.

The 35-year-old has been Huddersfield’s favourite sporting icon for almost two decades.

A keen sportsman since his youngest days – he was a county junior champion swimmer and top Huddersfield League cricketer – it was football which became his consuming passion and successful career.

Signed on schoolboy forms for Huddersfield Town, he was quickly given a full professional contract and made his Football League debut as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage on March 10, 1992.

He earned three caps for the England Under 21 team, scoring one goal, and also played for the Football League’s Under 21 representative team.

Booth said: “It’s brilliant. I’m very proud that the university in my home town has chosen me for this honour and I’m really looking forward to the big day.

“It has always been an honour to me to represent the town and I am delighted.”

Top motorcycle racer James Whitham will become an Honorary Doctor of Science.

Born near Halifax but long resident in Huddersfield, he began to race professionally for Suzuki in 1988 and for the next 15 years he raced for most of the major manufacturers.

After retirement from racing in 2002 he became a pundit and also flies planes from Crosland Moor Airfield.

Actress Sarah Lancashire, who will become an Honorary Doctor of Letters, is best known for her role as Raquel Wolstenhulme in ITV’s Coronation Street.

But she also starred in the nursing drama Where The Heart Is, set in the Colne Valley, and has had many other parts on television and stage, winning several awards. When she made her directorial debut she received a BAFTA nomination.

Others to receive honorary awards include composer and conductor Elgar Howarth, long associated with Grimethorpe Colliery Band, and Baroness Hale of Richmond , the first woman in British history to become a Law Lord.