THELWALL resident-turned-international pianist Stephen Hough has been honoured by the Royal Northern College of Music.

Stephen is now a 'companion' of the Royal Northern College of Music’ for his 'outstanding and enduring contribution' to their shared profession.

The award-winning composer attended Thelwall County before studying at both Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music.

He is now in demand all over the world from Carnegie Hall in Manhattan to Sydney Opera House.

On Twitter, Stephen, a patron of Culture Warrington and Warrington Arts Council Initiative for the Development of Music (WACIDOM), said: "Thank you for this honour and for the chance to come back up north and wear a flat cap once more. Me dad 'ud be right pleased."