Sabbath's Toni Iommi star made Coventry professor Published duration 4 June 2014

image copyright Coventry University image caption Iommi was awarded an honorary doctorate in November

The Black Sabbath star, Tony Iommi, has been made a professor of music at Coventry University.

Iommi, guitarist and founding member of the heavy metal group, had already been awarded an honorary doctorate by the university in November 2013.

He plans to return to the campus in the autumn to work with students on their song writing and composition skills.

After a taster session in May, he said: "Good start, I'm looking forward to working with the students."

'Beyond value'

Director of arts and culture at the university, Dr Geoff Willcocks, said: "Tony is without doubt a rock icon and he's an inspiration to so many people around the world.

"It's wonderful to have such an important and respected international figure working with us."

The head of performing arts at the university, Dr Sara Reed, said it was an honour to have the musician at the department.

She added: "His huge wealth of experience and musical knowledge is beyond value to our students.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for them to learn from such an immensely talented individual."

image caption Iommi (seated) with his Black Sabbath band mates, (l-r) Bill Ward, Ozzy Osborne and Geezer Butler