THE memory of a dedicated conservationist and zookeeper, who died after being mauled by a tiger, has inspired a university prize awarded in her honour.

Lucy Ritson Gunson was awarded the Sarah McClay Memorial Prize, named after the late South Lakes Safari Zoo employee, during a University of Cumbria graduation ceremony at Carlisle Cathedral on Wednesday.

Miss McClay, who was also a graduate of the university, was killed by a Sumatran tiger at the Dalton zoo in May 2013, aged 24.

Ms Ritson Gunson, who lives near Kendal, was given the award for her work away from studying, having led extra-curricular conservation groups.

The 33-year-old said: “It's not something that I was expecting to receive, but I always wanted to make sure I was doing conservation work outside my studies. I'm hoping to go on and do a master’s and then a PhD from here.”

Volker Deecke, senior lecturer in conservation biology, added: “Lucy is very similar to Sarah, in that she is very much a conservationist. She went out of her way to do extra work throughout the county. A lot of what we saw from Sarah is reflected in Lucy.”

This week’s celebrations also saw a former chairman of the Cumbria Community Foundation presented with an honorary fellowship by the university. John Fryer-Spedding said he was “deeply honoured” by the recognition of his work.

Mr Fryer-Spedding founded the Calvert Trust and served as its chairman for 30 years, between 1976 and 2006. Having served in the army between 1958 and 1968, he set the charity up to enable people with disabilities to benefit from outdoor activities in the countryside.

He was also a member of the Lake District National Park Authority between 1997 and 2001 and served as High Sheriff of Cumbria in 1997 and 1998.

Mr Fryer-Spedding said: “I'm a Cumbrian myself and to be honoured by the university, which is now very much an integral part of the county, is something that I'm humbled by.

“It's great to be alongside people who are graduating with degrees in areas such as forestry and conservation and I think that for them to have a qualification in that field will be of great benefit moving forward if that's the career they want to undertake.

“As a former president of the Royal Forestry Society I want to make sure that the links they have with the university are strengthened and it's something I shall be doing when they visit next year.”

Addressing graduates in his speech, Mr Fryer-Spedding added: “When you start out in the world, earning your six-figure salaries, I would ask you to remember the voluntary sector, remember Cumbria and remember the university you attended.”