Wanderers' owner Steve Hayes was awarded with an honorary degree from Bucks New University on Tuesday in recognition of his "significant contribution to the local community through sport and business".

During a speech to the audience at Wycombe Swan Theatre, he said: "My son, wife and sister are here today to see this and I am proud as punch to be stood in front of you today receiving this award."

Under Mr. Hayes' ownership, both he and the club are seeking to make even more of a contribution to the success and welfare of High Wycombe through the proposals for the new community stadium and sports village. The award recognises what Mr Hayes has done to date but he is adamant that this is only just the start.

He said: "I am deeply honoured and delighted to receive this award. It means an awful lot to me personally that the University should choose to recognise my contribution in this way, but I am only one of a team who all play a part in our success and our role in football, rugby and, most importantly, the valuable work and achievements made in the community.

"We also have the opportunity to do so much more. If we can realise our vision for a new community stadium and sports village, what we are doing now will only seem like the tip of the iceberg."

The award was also conferred in recognition of Mr. Hayes' "national and international profile in relation to his football and rugby clubs".

Olympic gold medallist Adrian Moorhouse MBE, musician Edwyn Collins, Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Sara Thornton and Felicity Dahl, widow of legendary author Roald Dahl, were also honoured.

Bucks New University vice chancellor Prof Ruth Farwell said: "We are very pleased that Adrian, Steve, Naomi and Tim accepted our invitations to receive honorary awards. They join a celebrated group of honorary awardees, who are chosen in recognition of their outstanding achievements in their fields, and because they are an inspiration to our graduating students."