AUSSIE singer and international star, Kylie Minogue is set to receive an honorary degree from a university in Chelmsford.

Kylie Minogue OBE will receive an Honorary Doctor of Health Sciences award at Anglia Ruskin University on Wednesday in recognition of her work to promote breast cancer awareness through the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity.

The singer and actress, who shot to fame in the 80s as Charlene in Australian soap, Neighbours, was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2005 and spent the next year focusing on her treatment and recovery.

Scientists in the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity research laboratory at the university are currently researching blood markers that might be used in the future to identify breast cancer at an early stage.

About 2,500 students will graduate from the university at a number of ceremonies this week and author, Jilly Cooper OBE and British Olympic swimmer, Mark Foster, will also be among the 12 recipients of honorary degrees this year.