FORMER Stourport resident Marcus Hayes, who heads up a law firm, has been awarded a fellowship for his contribution to the University of Sussex.

Mr Hayes, who is managing director of Mason Hayes Solicitors in Manchester and London, was recognised during a commemoration dinner held in Brighton.

He was the first in his Stourport family to go to university and having carved out a successful career in law, he went on to establish the Mason Hayes Charitable Trust, which provides financial and personal development support, mentoring and work placement opportunities to those who need it most.

He has visited the university on numerous occasions to provide guidance, presentations, careers talks and most recently a commercial awareness seminar for law students.

Accepting the award, Mr Hayes said: “I am thrilled and delighted to receive this award. From the moment I came to Sussex it had an embrace and it not only provided me with a very good education but has enabled me to offer a variety of opportunities to undergraduates from first generation backgrounds or from backgrounds where personal circumstances would, otherwise, dictate an inability to enjoy the benefits of higher education.

"It has been a privilege to be associated with Sussex, both as a student and alumnus, and I look forward to working further with the university for many years to come.”

Mr Hayes also described how the biggest reward for him was to see first generation scholars growing in self-confidence and beginning to fulfil their ambitions.

He mentioned fellow guest at the awards dinner, law alumna Ellie Taylor, who participated in the Mason Hayes Charitable Trust Work Placement Scheme and, following graduation, gained a scholarship from the Law Society. She is due to start her first legal role in September.