AN ISLEWORTH resident has broken a Guinness World Record by gaining a PhD at the age of 93.

Rev Edgar Dowse, of College Road, has completed four years of research to write his thesis entitled The Soul in Relationship to God.' As well as practising as an Anglican clergy man for most of his working life, Rev Dowse has found time to study for six other degrees in Biblical Studies and Theology at universities across the UK and America.

Rev Dowse was born in south west London in 1910. He said: "When I was a teenager, I wanted to be ordained but I didn't have the money to go to a theological college."

After working at Lloyd's Bank in Chelsea he went on to gain his first degree in Theology from Durham University, became a curator at a church in Wiltshire and was finally ordained in 1936.

He continued his varied studies, including commencing a Cambridge degree course in Theology in 1941 that then took over 30 years to complete.

Rev Dowse explained: "I suffered from a chronic lack of money and I could only afford to live for five terms in Cambridge. In those days, you had to reside in Cambridge for six terms."

He was eventually awarded the degree in 1972 and then a masters in 1974.

Following the death of his wife Ivy in 1999 he was inspired to start another course of intense studying. His latest, and highest degree has been gained at the London School of Theology, whose degrees are validated by Brunel University, in West London.

The nonagenarian, who can read Hebrew, Aramaic and New Testament Greek, does not own a computer and completed his thesis by dictating to a typist. With no car, he became a familiar sight standing at the bus stop en route to the campus.

Prof. Steve Hodkinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Brunel University said Brunel was delighted with Edgar's success: "Commitment, hard work and talent transcend age but when you get examples like this you really do believe it.

"His achievement is an encouragement to everyone to see that learning is really for life and should be valued for its own contribution to a richer life, rather than simply as a means to an end."

And Rev Dowse has further cause for celebration as the Guinness Book of Records has confirmed that he has broken the record for the oldest person to be awarded with a PhD, previously held by 90-year-old Elizabeth Eichelbaum from America. Speaking of his plans for the future Rev Dowse said: "I think it's rather doubtful that I will do another degree. I may just put my feet up now."