The country’s first female DJ was awarded an honorary doctorate for her contribution to broadcasting and journalism.

Annie Nightingale, originally from Twickenham, is the Guinness world record holder for the longest career as a female radio presenter, after working with BBC Radio 1 since 1970.

She rose to prominence in the 1960s after cutting her teeth as a print journalist on the Brighton Argus and later as a columnist for the Daily Express, the Daily Sketch and Cosmopolitan magazine.

She also became well-known for her role as a presenter of the Old Grey Whistle Test on BBC and in 2002 was awarded an MBE for her services to radio.

She received an honorary doctorate at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Monday, December 3, from University of Westminster, where she studied as a journalism student.

She said: "Now it’s acceptable to study journalism but in those days Fleet Street believed that you had to start out as an apprentice.

"Living and studying in London was an amazing year of culture and growing up."

Alan Fisher, head of music and interim dean of school of media, arts and design at the University of Westminster, said: "Annie Nightingale has been a genuine trailblazer not only for women’s broadcasting but for the whole industry.

"She has broken down barriers throughout her career and paved the way for the broadcasters of today."