A UNIVERSITY of Brighton programme for children with Professor C Gull as its mascot has been adopted in the USA.

The university’s flagship primary schools project acts as a guide to university for younger children and is part of the university’s work to widen access to higher education for people from non-traditional backgrounds.

Illustrator and author Chris Riddell, winner of the University of Brighton’s Alumnus Award in 2013, created Professor C Gull for the university.

Chris graduated from the university with a degree in graphic design.

Now the idea has been taken up by Texas A&M University which is working with an elementary school.

Michelle Tarling, university widening participation outreach manager, said other universities around the world showed interest.