Bill Clinton has links with the region through his wife

There is speculation that he will succeed Sir Peter Ustinov who died earlier this year.

Mr Clinton has links with the region through his wife Hilary who can trace her family tree back to the Rodhams of County Durham.

But university spokesman Keith Seacroft said the selection procedure had only just started.

The chancellor's role is mainly ceremonial with one of the main roles being to attend the degree ceremonies at the end of the academic year.

'Academic traditions'

Mr Clinton was approached last year to allow his name to be put forward as the chancellor of Oxford where he was once a Rhodes scholar.

He declined, but it was rumoured that he was interested in the role.

Mr Seacroft said: "No-one is a candidate at the moment. We are collecting a selection of names from graduates, staff and students.

"I can't say anyone is in or out at the moment because the collection of names goes on until August, then a selection committee will consider the names then come up with a candidate they would like to approach."

Chancellors of universities across the country include film producer Lord Puttnam at Sunderland, politician Chris Patten at Newcastle, and the University of Manchester has newsreader Anna Ford.

Mr Seacroft said: "The chancellor has to be someone who is comfortable with the role as head of the university, with the academic traditions and the international flavour of the university, and someone who has time to visit and take part in our activities."