A university will bestow one of the world’s most famous artists with a distinguished title – despite the fact his identity remains a mystery.

Banksy is set to be made an honorary professor at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) – which has campuses in Canterbury and Rochester – at the beginning of next month.

But bosses admit the Bristol-based street artist will not be attending the ceremony – with the distinction conferred upon an empty chair.

UCA president Bashir Makhoul said: “Joining a long list of illustrious creatives who have received Honorary Awards from the University for the Creative Arts, Banksy is one of the UK’s best-known artists.

“He’s an example UCA students can look up to, who uses his talents to disrupt the status quo, while challenging us all to confront some of the key issues of our time.”

The anonymous street artist had painted a mural – previously valued at £1 million – on the wall of the former Castle Amusements building in Townwall Street, Dover, in 2017.

Over the following two years, the piece, which showed a workman chipping away at a star on the European flag, greeted traffic travelling towards the town’s port and became a popular tourist attraction.

But it was mysteriously whitewashed in 2019, sparking a furious outcry from residents and politicians.

Banksy’s honorary professorship will be conferred during UCA’s graduation ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Wednesday, July 6.