THE University of Cumbria has received high-profile support for a scheme which sees psychology students working alongside serving prisoners.

Lord Melvyn Bragg has backed the Learning Together programme, delivered at Haverigg prison, where both groups are studying Lord Bragg's locally set novel, The Maid of Buttermere .

Dr Alison Spurgeon-Dickson, senior lecturer at the University, said: “One way of exploring criminology through literature is to analyse a criminal character, for example, John Hatfield in The Maid of Buttermere .

“Two of the students have been looking into Hatfields's psychological profile and criminal behaviours as part of their final assignment.

"They were able to put three questions directly to Lord Bragg.”

Lord Bragg is an honorary fellow of the University of Cumbria which will celebrate its 10th anniversary later this year.