Aston University's School of Pharmacy has been awarded a Regius Professorship by The Queen.

Aston is one of just 12 institutions to receive a Regius Professorship to mark the Queen's 90th birthday.

A Regius Professorship is a rare and privileged award with only 14 created since the reign of Queen Victoria.

Historically, they were limited to a handful of ancient universities in the UK and Ireland such as Oxford, Cambridge and Trinity College in Dublin.

The title of Regius Professor has been held by notable academics such as Sir Hugh Trevor-Roper and Sir Joseph Lister and is said to be a mark of exceptionally high standards of research and teaching.

Aston University's School of Pharmacy has been in operation since 1847 and helped to develop the drug temozolomide, which is used in the treatment of brain tumours, as well as creating the UK's first masters programme for hospital pharmacists.

Baroness Brown of Cambridge, vice-chancellor of Aston University, said: "This is a very special recognition for the university and a reward for the outstanding work conducted by our School of Pharmacy.

"Coming as it does as Aston celebrates 50 years as a university, with HM The Queen awarding our Royal Charter in 1966, it is also a particularly timely accolade - a great birthday present for Aston."

University of Warwick has also received the accolade for its manufacturing.