A former Thurrock councillor and lecturer at Palmer's College has won a posthumous doctorate.

David Scully died in September 2001 at the age of 63 and for the last nine years of his life was working towards a PhD.

His death occurred only days before he was due to submit his thesis to the City University in London.

Mr Scully's wife, Angela and two children Stephen and Fiona, were determined that his efforts would not go unrewarded and they spent four long days collating text in order to meet the deadline.

It has now been announced that he has been posthumously awarded the title of Doctor of Philosophy and the award ceremony is due to take place in May when his wife will accept it on his behalf.

She said: "I am indescribably proud of David's achievement, but my emotions are tinged with deep sadness that he did not live long enough to realise his achievement himself."

Published Thursday December 27, 2001