AS adopted Marlovian Tom Kerridge prepares to switch on the town’s Christmas lights tonight, his childhood homeland is preparing to hand him a very different sort of honour.

The Hand and Flowers chef has been given an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire, the county where he spent much of his early life.

The TV star will receive the doctorate at a special ceremony in Cheltenham next week after being named in a list of "outstanding individuals" who have made the county proud.

Tom and his wife Beth have lived in Marlow for ten years since opening the two Michelin star restaurant on West Street.

He described being asked to flick the switch on Marlow’s Christmas light display an "incredible honour".

His second Marlow venture, ‘The Coach’ will open to the public next Saturday, November 29.

See next week’s Free Press for an exclusive preview of the new pub eatery.