A RENFREWSHIRE graduate selected for a prestigious scholarship programme formally received his award from the King of Spain at a ceremony in Madrid.

Phillip Clarke, from Bridge of Weir, is studying a Masters degree in economics of the electrical power industry at the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas after winning a ScottishPower Foundation scholarship.

He was among a group of 11 British winners who gathered at the headquarters of ScottishPower’s parent company Ibedrola for an award ceremony also attended by fellow winners from Spain, the USA, Mexico and Brazil.

The scholars were presented their awards by Ibedrola’s chairman, Ignacio Galan, and Ramón Castresana Sanchez, director of the Iberdrola’s foundations committee, before they were received by King Felipe of Spain at a reception held at the Palacio de la Zarzuela.

Phillip said: “It was an enormous honour to take part in the ceremony, in particular to get the opportunity to hear from the King of Spain.”

The ScottishPower Foundation, the charitable arm of the energy provider, is supporting 27 British graduates at leading universities by funding their enrolment fees and living allowances.